Methods and materials for assessing homologous recombination deficiency

ABSTRACT

This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing samples (e.g., cancer cells) for the presence of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) or an HRD signature. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a cell (e.g., a cancer cell) contains an HRD signature are provided. Materials and methods for identifying cells (e.g., cancer cells) having a deficiency in homology directed repair (HDR) as well as materials and methods for identifying cancer patients likely to respond to a particular cancer treatment regimen also are provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the priority benefit ofU.S. utility application Ser. No. 15/433,249, filed Feb. 15, 2017, whichclaims benefit to International Application serial numberPCT/US2015/045561 filed Aug. 17, 2015, which in turn claims the prioritybenefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/037,764, filed Aug.15, 2014 and U.S. utility application Ser. No. 14/507,412, filed Oct. 6,2014, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a serious public health problem, with 562,340 people in theUnited States of America dying of cancer in 2009 alone. American CancerSociety, Cancer Facts & Figures 2009 (available at American CancerSociety website). One of the primary challenges in cancer treatment isdiscovering relevant, clinically useful characteristics of a patient'sown cancer and then, based on these characteristics, administering atreatment plan best suited to the patient's cancer. While strides havebeen made in this field of personalized medicine, there is still asignificant need for better molecular diagnostic tools to characterizepatients' cancers.

SUMMARY

This document relates to methods and materials involved in assessingsamples (e.g., cancer cells or nucleic acids derived therefrom) forhomologous recombination deficiency (HRD) (e.g., an HRD signature) basedon detection of particular chromosomal aberrations (“CA”). For example,this document provides methods and materials for detecting CA Regions todetermine whether or not a cell (e.g., a cancer cell) has HRD (e.g.,exhibits an HRD signature). This document also provides materials andmethods for identifying cancer patients likely to respond to aparticular cancer treatment regimen based on the presence, absence, orseverity of HRD. Throughout this document, unless indicated otherwise,HRD and homology-dependent repair (HDR) deficiency are usedsynonymously.

In general, one aspect of this invention features a method for assessingHRD in a cancer cell or DNA (e.g., genomic DNA) derived therefrom. Insome embodiments, the method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)detecting, in a sample or DNA derived therefrom, CA Regions (as definedherein) in at least one pair of human chromosomes of sample or DNAderived therefrom (e.g., any pair of human chromosomes other than ahuman X/Y sex chromosome pair); and (b) determining the number, size(e.g., length), and/or character of said CA Regions. In someembodiments, CA Regions are analyzed in a number of chromosome pairsthat are representative of the entire genome (e.g., enough chromosomesare analyzed such that the number and size of CA Regions are expected tobe representative of the number and size of CA Regions across thegenome).

Various aspects of the present invention involve using a combinedanalysis of two or more types of CA Regions to assess (e.g., detect) HRDin a sample. Three types of CA Regions useful in such methods include(1) chromosomal regions showing loss of heterozygosity (“LOH Regions”,as defined herein), (2) chromosomal regions showing telomeric allelicimbalance (“TAI Regions”, as defined herein), and (3) chromosomalregions showing large scale transition (“LST Regions”, as definedherein). CA Regions of a certain size, chromosomal location or character(e.g., “Indicator CA Regions”, as defined herein) can be particularlyuseful in the various aspects of the invention described herein.

Thus in one aspect the invention provides a method of assessing (e.g.,detecting) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining the total numberof LOH Regions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LOHRegions”, as defined herein) in the sample; (2) determining the totalnumber of TAI Regions of a certain size or character (e.g., “IndicatorTAI Regions”, as defined herein) in the sample; and (3) assessing HRD inthe sample based at least in part on the determinations made in (1) and(2). In another aspect the invention provides a method of assessing(e.g., detecting) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining the totalnumber of LOH Regions of a certain size or character (e.g., “IndicatorLOH Regions”, as defined herein) in the sample; (2) determining thetotal number of LST Regions of a certain size or character (e.g.,“Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) in the sample; and (3)assessing HRD in the sample based at least in part on the determinationsmade in (1) and (2). In another aspect the invention provides a methodof assessing (e.g., detecting) HRD in a sample comprising (1)determining the total number of TAI Regions of a certain size orcharacter (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, as defined herein) in thesample; (2) determining the total number of LST Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; and (3) assessing HRD in the sample based at least in parton the determinations made in (1) and (2). In another aspect theinvention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting) HRD in asample comprising (1) determining the total number of LOH Regions of acertain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as definedherein) in the sample; (2) determining the total number of TAI Regionsof a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, asdefined herein) in the sample; (3) determining the total number of LSTRegions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”,as defined herein) in the sample; and (4) assessing (e.g., detecting)HRD in the sample based at least in part on the determinations made in(1), (2) and (3).

In one aspect the invention provides a method of diagnosing the presenceor absence of HRD in a patient sample, the method comprising (1)analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patient samples to determine(e.g., detect) the total number of LOH Regions of a certain size orcharacter (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as defined herein) in thesample; (2) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patient samples todetermine (e.g., detect) the total number of TAI Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; and either (3)(a) diagnosing the presence of HRD in apatient sample where the number from (1) and/or the number from (2)exceeds some reference; or (3)(b) diagnosing the absence of HRD in apatient sample where neither the number from (1) nor the number from (2)exceeds some reference. In another aspect the invention provides amethod of diagnosing the presence or absence of HRD in a patient sample,the method comprising (1) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patientsamples to determine (e.g., detect) the total number of LOH Regions of acertain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as definedherein) in the sample; (2) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or morepatient samples to determine (e.g., detect) the total number of LSTRegions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”,as defined herein) in the sample; and either (3)(a) diagnosing thepresence of HRD in a patient sample where the number from (1) and/or thenumber from (2) exceeds some reference; or (3)(b) diagnosing the absenceof HRD in a patient sample where neither the number from (1) nor thenumber from (2) exceeds some reference. In another aspect the inventionprovides a method of diagnosing the presence or absence of HRD in apatient sample, the method comprising (1) analyzing (e.g., assaying) oneor more patient samples to determine (e.g., detect) the total number ofTAI Regions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator TAIRegions”, as defined herein) in the sample; (2) analyzing (e.g.,assaying) one or more patient samples to determine (e.g., detect) thetotal number of LST Regions of a certain size or character (e.g.,“Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) in the sample; and either(3)(a) diagnosing the presence of HRD in a patient sample where thenumber from (1) and/or the number from (2) exceeds some reference; or(3)(b) diagnosing the absence of HRD in a patient sample where neitherthe number from (1) nor the number from (2) exceeds some reference. Inanother aspect the invention provides a method of diagnosing thepresence or absence of HRD in a patient sample, the method comprising(1) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patient samples to determine(e.g., detect) the total number of LOH Regions of a certain size orcharacter (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as defined herein) in thesample; (2) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patient samples todetermine (e.g., detect) the total number of TAI Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; (3) analyzing (e.g., assaying) one or more patient samplesto determine (e.g., detect) the total number of LST Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; and either (3)(a) diagnosing the presence of HRD in apatient sample where the number from (1), the number from (2) and/or thenumber from (3) exceeds some reference; or (3)(b) diagnosing the absenceof HRD in a patient sample where none of the numbers from (1), (2) or(3) exceeds some reference.

Various aspects of the present invention involve using an average (e.g.,arithmetic mean) of three types of CA Regions to assess (e.g., detect)HRD in a sample. Three types of CA Region useful in such methods include(1) chromosomal regions showing loss of heterozygosity (“LOH Regions”,as defined herein), (2) chromosomal regions showing telomeric allelicimbalance (“TAI Regions”, as defined herein), and (3) chromosomalregions showing large scale transition (“LST Regions”, as definedherein). CA Regions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator CARegions”, as defined herein) can be particularly useful in the variousaspects of the invention described herein. Thus in one aspect theinvention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting) HRD in asample comprising (1) determining the total number of LOH Regions of acertain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as definedherein) in the sample; (2) determining the total number of TAI Regionsof a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, asdefined herein) in the sample; (3) determining the total number of LSTRegions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”,as defined herein) in the sample; (4) calculating the average (e.g.,arithmetic mean) of the determinations made in (1), (2), and (3); and(5) assessing HRD in the sample based at least in part on the calculatedaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) made in (4).

In some embodiments assessing (e.g., detecting) HRD is based on a scorederived or calculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) thedetected CA Regions (“CA Region Score”, as defined herein). Scores aredescribed in greater detail herein. In some embodiments HRD is detectedif a CA Region Score for a sample exceeds some threshold (e.g., areference or index CA Region Score), and optionally HRD is not detectedif the CA Region Score for the sample does not exceed some threshold(e.g., a reference or index CA Region Score, which may in someembodiments be the same threshold for positive detection). Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that scores can be devised in theopposite orientation within this disclosure (e.g., HRD is detected ifthe CA region Score is below a certain threshold and not detected if thescore is above a certain threshold).

In some embodiments the CA Region Score is a combination of scoresderived or calculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) twoor more of (1) the detected LOH Regions (“LOH Region Score”, as definedherein), (2) the detected TAI Regions (“TAI Region Score”, as definedherein), and/or (3) the detected LST Regions (“LST Region Score”, asdefined herein). In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and TAI RegionScore are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(TAI Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and TAI Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=0.32*(LOH Region Score)+0.68*(TAI Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and LST Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the TAI Region Score and LST Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(TAI Region Score)+B*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score, TAI Region Score and LSTRegion Score are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(TAI Region Score)+C*(LST RegionScore)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score, TAI Region Score and LSTRegion Score are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=0.21*(LOH Region Score)+0.67*(TAI RegionScore)+0.12*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the CA Region Score is a combination of scoresderived or calculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) theaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) of (1) the detected LOH Regions (“LOHRegion Score”, as defined herein), (2) the detected TAI Regions (“TAIRegion Score”, as defined herein), and/or (3) the detected LST Regions(“LST Region Score”, as defined herein) to yield a CA Region Score:

${{CA}{Region}{Score}} = \frac{{A*\left( {{LOH}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {B*\left( {{TAI}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {C*\left( {{LST}{Region}{Score}} \right)}}{3}$

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of predictingthe status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in a sample. Such method isanalogous to the methods described above and differs in that thedetermination of CA Regions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, orscores incorporating these are used to assess (e.g., detect) BRCA1and/or BRCA2 deficiency in the sample. In another aspect, this inventionprovides a method of predicting a cancer patient's response to a cancertreatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, atopoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARP inhibitor. Suchmethod is analogous to the methods described above and differs in thatthe determination of CA Regions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions,or scores incorporating these are used to predict the likelihood thatthe cancer patient will respond to the cancer treatment regimen. In someembodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients. In anotheraspect, this invention provides a method of treating cancer. Such methodis analogous to the methods described above and differs in that aparticular treatment regimen is administered (recommended, prescribed,etc.) based at least in part on the determination of CA Regions, LOHRegions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, or scores incorporating these. Inanother aspect, this invention features the use of one or more drugsselected from the group consisting of DNA damaging agents,anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors, in themanufacture of a medicament useful for treating a cancer in a patientidentified as having (or as having had) a cancer cell determined to haveHRD (e.g., an HRD signature) as described herein. In another aspect,this document features a method for assessing a sample for the presenceof a mutation within a gene from an HDR pathway. Such method isanalogous to the methods described above and differs in that thedetermination of CA Regions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, orscores incorporating these are used to detect (or not) the presence of amutation within a gene from an HDR pathway.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for assessing apatient. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)determining whether the patient has (or had) cancer cells with more thana reference number of CA Regions (or, e.g., a CA Region Score exceedinga reference CA Region Score); and (b)(1) diagnosing the patient ashaving cancer cells with HRD if it is determined that the patient has(or had) cancer cells with more than a reference number of CA Regions(or, e.g., a CA Region Score exceeding a reference CA Region Score); or(b)(2) diagnosing the patient as not having cancer cells with HRD if itis determined that the patient does not have (or has not had) cancercells with more than a reference number of CA Regions (or, e.g., thepatient does not have (or has not had) cancer cells with a CA RegionScore exceeding a reference CA Region Score).

In another aspect, this invention features the use of a plurality ofoligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to a plurality of polymorphicregions of human genomic DNA, in the manufacture of a diagnostic kituseful for determining the total number or combined length of CA Regionsin at least a chromosome pair (or DNA derived therefrom) in a sampleobtained from a cancer patient, and for detecting (a) HRD or likelihoodof HRD (e.g., an HRD signature) in the sample, (b) deficiency (orlikelihood of deficiency) in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene in the sample, or (c)an increased likelihood that the cancer patient will respond to a cancertreatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, atopoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, or a PARP inhibitor.

In another aspect, this invention features a system for detecting HRD(e.g., an HRD signature) in a sample. The system comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) a sample analyzer configured to produce a pluralityof signals about genomic DNA of at least one pair of human chromosomes(or DNA derived therefrom) in the sample, and (b) a computer sub-systemprogrammed to calculate, based on the plurality of signals, the numberor combined length of CA Regions in the at least one pair of humanchromosomes. The computer sub-system can be programmed to compare thenumber or combined length of CA Regions to a reference number to detect(a) HRD or likelihood of HRD (e.g., an HRD signature) in the sample, (b)deficiency (or likelihood of deficiency) in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene in thesample, or (c) an increased likelihood that the cancer patient willrespond to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent,an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, or a PARPinhibitor. The system can comprise an output module configured todisplay (a), (b), or (c). The system can comprise an output moduleconfigured to display a recommendation for the use of the cancertreatment regimen.

In another aspect, the invention provides a computer program productembodied in a computer readable medium that, when executing on acomputer, provides instructions for detecting the presence or absence ofany CA Region along one or more of human chromosomes other than thehuman X and Y sex chromosomes (the CA Regions optionally being IndicatorCA Regions); and determining the total number or combined length of theCA Regions in the one or more chromosome pairs. The computer programproduct can include other instructions.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a diagnostic kit. Thekit comprises, or consists essentially of, at least 500 oligonucleotidescapable of hybridizing to a plurality of polymorphic regions of humangenomic DNA (or DNA derived therefrom); and a computer program productprovided herein. The computer program product can be embodied in acomputer readable medium that, when executing on a computer, providesinstructions for detecting the presence or absence of any CA Regionalong one or more of human chromosomes other than the human X and Y sexchromosomes (the CA Regions optionally being Indicator CA Regions); anddetermining the total number or combined length of the CA Regions in theone or more chromosome pairs. The computer program product can includeother instructions.

In some embodiments of any one or more of the aspects of the inventiondescribed in the preceding paragraphs, any one or more of the followingcan be applied as appropriate. The CA Regions can be determined in atleast two, five, ten, or 21 pairs of human chromosomes. The cancer cellcan be an ovarian, breast, lung or esophageal cancer cell. The referencecan be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 20 or greater.The at least one pair of human chromosomes can exclude human chromosome17. The DNA damaging agent can be cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin,or picoplatin, the anthracycline can be epirubincin or doxorubicin, thetopoisomerase I inhibitor can be campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan,or the PARP inhibitor can be iniparib, olaparib or velapirib. Thepatient can be a treatment naïve patient.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practicethe invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, willcontrol. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe description and accompanying drawings below. The materials, methods,and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows graphs plotting allele dosages of breast cancer cells froma fresh frozen sample from a breast cancer patient along a chromosome asdetermined using a SNP array (above) and high-throughput sequencing(below).

FIG. 2 shows graphs plotting allele dosages of breast cancer cells froman FFPE sample from a breast cancer patient along a chromosome asdetermined using a SNP array (above) and high-throughput sequencing(below).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example process for assessing the genome ofa cell (e.g., a cancer cell) for an HRD signature.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a computer device and a mobilecomputer device that can be used to implement the techniques describedherein.

FIG. 5A shows LOH Regions Scores across breast cancer IHC subtypes. Thetop three panels are BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The bottom panel isBRCA1/2 intact samples.

FIG. 5B shows TAI Regions Scores across breast cancer IHC subtypes. Thetop three panels are BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The bottom panel isBRCA1/2 intact samples.

FIG. 6 shows the correlation between LOH and TAI Region Scores.Correlation coefficient=0.69. X axis: LOH score; Y axis: TAI score; reddots: intact samples; blue dots (with a super imposed “X”): BRCA1/2deficient samples. The area under the dots is proportional to the numberof samples with that combination of LOH and TAI scores. p=10⁻³⁹.

FIG. 7A shows LOH Region Scores for patients as analyzed in Example 2herein. The top three panels are BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The bottompanel is BRCA1/2 intact samples.

FIG. 7B shows TAI Region Scores for patients as analyzed in Example 2herein. The top three panels are BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The bottompanel is BRCA1/2 intact samples.

FIG. 7C shows LST Regions Scores for patients as analyzed in Example 2herein. The top three panels are BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The bottompanel is BRCA1/2 intact samples.

FIG. 7D shows LOH vs TAI for patients as analyzed in Example 2 herein. Xaxis: LOH score; Y axis: TAI score; red dots: intact samples; blue dots(with a super imposed “X”): BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The area underthe dots is proportional to the number of samples with that combinationof LOH and TAI scores.

FIG. 7E shows LOH vs LST for patients as analyzed in Example 2 herein. Xaxis: LOH score; Y axis: LST score; red dots: intact samples; blue dots(with a super imposed “X”): BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The area underthe dots is proportional to the number of samples with that combinationof LOH and LST scores.

FIG. 7F shows TAI vs LST for patients as analyzed in Example 2 herein. Xaxis: TAI score; Y axis: LST score; red dots: intact samples; blue dots(with a super imposed “X”): BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The area underthe dots is proportional to the number of samples with that combinationof TAI and LST scores.

FIG. 8 is a graph plotting the number of LOH regions longer than 15 Mband shorter than the entire chromosome for ovarian cancer cell sampleswith somatic BRCA mutations, with germline BRCA mutations, with lowBRCA1 expression, or with intact BRCA (BRCA normal). The size of thecircles is proportional to the number of samples with such number of LOHregions.

FIG. 9A illustrates HRD-LOH scores in BRCA 1/2 deficient (mutated ormethylated) samples (top panel) and intact samples (bottom panel) in anall-comers breast cohort.

FIG. 9B illustrates HRD-TAI scores in BRCA1/2 deficient (mutated ormethylated) samples (top panel) and intact samples (bottom panel) in anall-comers breast cohort.

FIG. 9C illustrates HRD-LST scores in BRCA1/2 deficient (mutated ormethylated) samples (top panel) and intact samples (bottom panel) in anall-comers breast cohort.

FIG. 10 illustrates an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) HRD-combinedscore (Y-axis) stratified by the Miller-Payne score (horizontal axis) incombined Cisplatin-1 and Cisplatin-2 cohorts.

FIG. 11 illustrates a spearman correlation of 3 different measures of HRdeficiency. Panels above the diagonal show correlation. Diagonal panelsshow density plots.

FIG. 12 illustrates associations of clinical variables with HRD-combinedscore.

FIG. 13 illustrates associations of clinical variables with BRCA1/2deficiency. The top panels, and the bottom left panel, show theproportion of BRCA1/2 deficient patients within each category of grade,stage, and breast cancer type. The width of each bar is proportional tothe number of patients in each category. The bottom right panel shows aconditional density estimate of BRCA1/2 deficiency give age.

FIG. 14 illustrates determination of high HRD having a reference score≥42.

FIG. 15 illustrates a histogram showing the distribution of HRD scoresin a cisplatin cohort. The four columns on the left represent low HRD,and the five columns on the right, with reference scores >42, representhigh HRD.

FIG. 16 illustrates the distribution of HRD scores within the pCR,RCB-I, RCB-II, and RCB-III classes of response. Boxes represent theinterquartile range (IQR) of the scores with a horizontal line at themedian. The dotted line at 42 represents the HRD threshold between lowand high scores.

FIG. 17 illustrates a response curve for the quantitative HRD score. Thecurve is modeled by generalized logistic regression. The shaded boxesindicate the probability of response in HR Deficient vs Non-Deficientsamples.

FIG. 18 illustrates HRD scores for individual HRD components (LOH, TAI,and LST).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, one aspect of this invention features a method for assessingHRD in a cancer cell or DNA (e.g., genomic DNA) derived therefrom. Insome embodiments, the method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)detecting, in a sample or DNA derived therefrom, CA Regions in at leastone pair of human chromosomes or DNA derived therefrom; and (b)determining the number, size (e.g., length), and/or character of said CARegions.

As used herein, “chromosomal aberration” or “CA” means a somatic changein a cell's chromosomal DNA that falls into at least one of threeoverlapping categories: LOH, TAI, or LST. Polymorphic loci within thehuman genome (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) aregenerally heterozygous within an individual's germline since thatindividual typically receives one copy from the biological father andone copy from the biological mother. Somatically, however, thisheterozygosity can change (via mutation) to homozygosity. This changefrom heterozygosity to homozygosity is called loss of heterozygosity(LOH). LOH may result from several mechanisms. For example, in somecases, a locus of one chromosome can be deleted in a somatic cell. Thelocus that remains present on the other chromosome (the other non-sexchromosome for males) is an LOH locus as there is only one copy (insteadof two copies) of that locus present within the genome of the affectedcells. This type of LOH event results in a copy number reduction. Inother cases, a locus of one chromosome (e.g., one non-sex chromosome formales) in a somatic cell can be replaced with a copy of that locus fromthe other chromosome, thereby eliminating any heterozygosity that mayhave been present within the replaced locus. In such cases, the locusthat remains present on each chromosome is an LOH locus and can bereferred to as a copy neutral LOH locus. LOH and its use in determiningHRD is described in detail in International Application no.PCT/US2011/040953 (published as WO/2011/160063), the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

A broader class of chromosomal aberration, which encompasses LOH, isallelic imbalance. Allelic imbalance occurs when the relative copynumber (i.e., copy proportion) at a particular locus in somatic cellsdiffers from the germline. For example, if the germline has one copy ofallele A and one copy of allele B at a particular locus, and a somaticcell has two copies of A and one copy of B, there is allelic imbalanceat the locus because the copy proportion of the somatic cell (2:1)differs from the germline (1:1). LOH is an example of allelic imbalancesince the somatic cell has a copy proportion (1:0 or 2:0) that differsfrom the germline (1:1). But allelic imbalance encompasses more types ofchromosomal aberration, e.g., 2:1 germline going to 1:1 somatic; 1:0germline going to 1:1 somatic; 1:1 germline going to 2:1 somatic, etc.Analysis of regions of allelic imbalance encompassing the telomeres ofchromosomes is particularly useful in the invention. Thus, a “telomericallelic imbalance region” or “TAI Region” is defined as a region withallelic imbalance that (a) extends to one of the subtelomeres and (b)does not cross the centromere. TAI and its use in determining HRD isdescribed in detail in U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 13/818,425(published as US20130281312A1) and Ser. No. 14/466,208 (published asUS20150038340A1), the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

A class of chromosomal aberrations that is broader still, whichencompasses LOH and TAI, is referred to herein as large scale transition(“LST”). LST refers to any somatic copy number transition (i.e.,breakpoint) along the length of a chromosome where it is between tworegions of at least some minimum length (e.g., at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 89, 10, 1112, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 or more megabases) afterfiltering out regions shorter than some maximum length (e.g., 0.1, 0.2,0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or moremegabases). For example, if after filtering out regions shorter than 3megabases the somatic cell has a copy number of 1:1 for, e.g., at least10 megabases and then a breakpoint transition to a region of, e.g., atleast 10 megabases with copy number 2:2, this is an LST. An alternativeway of defining the same phenomenon is as an LST Region, which isgenomic region with stable copy number across at least some minimumlength (e.g., at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19 or 20 megabases) bounded by breakpoints (i.e., transitions)where the copy number changes for another region also at least thisminimum length. For example, if after filtering out regions shorter than3 megabases the somatic cell has a region of at least 10 megabases withcopy number of 1:1 bounded on one side by a breakpoint transition to aregion of, e.g., at least 10 megabases with copy number 2:2, and boundedon the other side by a breakpoint transition to a region of, e.g., atleast 10 megabases with copy number 1:2, then this is two LSTs. Noticethat this is broader than allelic imbalance because such a copy numberchange would not be considered allelic imbalance (because the copyproportions 1:1 and 2:2 are the same, i.e., there has been no change incopy proportion). LST and its use in determining HRD is described indetail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/402,254 (published asUS20150140122A1), the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

Different cutoffs for LST score may be used for “near-diploid” and“near-tetraploid” tumors to separate BRCA1/2 intact and deficientsamples. LST score sometimes increases with ploidy both within intactand deficient samples. As an alternative to using ploidy-specificcutoffs, some embodiments may employ a modified LST score adjusting itby ploidy: LSTm=LST−kP, where P is ploidy and k is a constant. Based onmultivariate logistic regression analysis with deficiency as an outcomeand LST and P as predictors, k=15.5 provided the best separation betweenintact and deficient samples (though one skilled in the art can envisageother values for k).

Chromosomal aberrations can extend across numerous loci to define aregion of chromosomal aberration, referred to herein as a “CA Region.”Such CA Regions can be any length (e.g., from a length less than about1.5 Mb up to a length equal to the entire length of the chromosome). Anabundance of large CA Regions (“Indicator CA Regions”) indicate adeficiency in the homology-dependent repair (HDR) mechanism of a cell.The definition of a region of CA, and thus what constitutes an“Indicator” region, for each type of CA (e.g., LOH, TAI, LST) depends onthe particular character of the CA. For example, an “LOH Region” meansat least some minimum number of consecutive loci exhibiting LOH or someminimum stretch of genomic DNA having consecutive loci exhibiting LOH. A“TAI Region,” on the other hand, means at least some minimum number ofconsecutive loci exhibiting allelic imbalance extending from thetelomere into the rest of the chromosome (or some minimum stretch ofgenomic DNA extending from the telomere into the rest of the chromosomehaving consecutive loci exhibiting allelic imbalance). LST is alreadydefined in terms of a region of genomic DNA of at least some minimumsize, so “LST” and “LST Region” are used interchangeably in thisdocument to refer to a minimum number of consecutive loci (or someminimum stretch of genomic DNA) having the same copy number bounded by abreakpoint or transition from that copy number to a different one.

In some embodiments a CA Region (whether an LOH Region, TAI region, orLST Region) is an Indicator CA Region (whether an Indicator LOH Region,Indicator TAI region, or Indicator LST Region) if it is at least 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 megabases or more in length. In someembodiments, Indicator LOH Regions are LOH Regions that are longer thanabout 1.5, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or more (preferably 14, 15, 16 ormore, more preferably 15 or more) megabases but shorter than the entirelength of the respective chromosome within which the LOH Region islocated. Alternatively or additionally, the total combined length ofsuch Indicator LOH Regions may be determined. In some embodiments,Indicator TAI Regions are TAI Regions with allelic imbalance that (a)extend to one of the subtelomeres, (b) do not cross the centromere and(c) are longer than 1.5, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or more (preferably10, 11, 12 or more, more preferably 11 or more) megabases. Alternativelyor additionally, the total combined length of such Indicator TAI Regionsmay be determined. Because the concept of LST already involves regionsof some minimum size (such minimum size being determined based on itsability to differentiate HRD from HDR intact samples), Indicator LSTRegions as used herein are the same as LST Regions. Furthermore, an LSTRegion Score can be either derived from the number of regions showingLST as described above or the number of LST breakpoints. In someembodiments the minimum length of the region of stable copy numberbounding the LST breakpoint is at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1112,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 megabases (preferably 8, 9, 10, 11 ormore megabases, more preferably 10 megabases) and the maximum regionremaining unfiltered is less than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7,0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or fewer megabases (preferably 2,2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 or fewer megabases, more preferably fewer than 3megabases).

As used herein, a sample has an “HRD signature” if such sample has anumber of Indicator CA Regions (as described herein) or a CA RegionScore (as described herein) exceeding a reference as described herein,wherein a number or score exceeding such reference indicates homologousrecombination deficiency.

Thus the invention generally involves detecting and quantifyingIndicator CA Regions in a sample to determine whether cells in thesample (or cells from which DNA in the sample are derived) have an HRDsignature. Often this comprises comparing the number of Indicator CARegions (or a test value or score derived or calculated therefrom andcorresponding to such number) to a reference, or index number (orscore).

The various aspects of the present invention comprise using a combinedanalysis of two or more types of CA Regions (including two or more typesof Indicator CA Regions) to assess (e.g., detect, diagnose) HRD in asample. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides a method of assessing(e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determiningthe total number (or combined length) of Indicator LOH Regions in thesample; (2) determining the total number (or combined length) ofIndicator TAI Regions in the sample; and (3) determining the presence orabsence of (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in the sample based atleast in part on the determinations made in (1) and (2). In anotheraspect the invention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting,diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining the total number(or combined length) of Indicator LOH Regions in the sample; (2)determining the total number (or combined length) of Indicator LSTRegions in the sample; and (3) determining the presence or absence of(e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in parton the determinations made in (1) and (2). In another aspect theinvention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing)HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining the total number (or combinedlength) of Indicator TAI Regions in the sample; (2) determining thetotal number (or combined length) of Indicator LST Regions in thesample; and (3) determining the presence or absence of (e.g., detecting,diagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in part on thedeterminations made in (1) and (2). In another aspect the inventionprovides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in asample comprising (1) determining the total number (or combined length)of Indicator LOH Regions in the sample; (2) determining the total numberof Indicator TAI Regions in the sample; (3) determining the total number(or combined length) of Indicator LST Regions in the sample; and (4)determining the presence or absence of (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRDin the sample based at least in part on the determinations made in (1),(2) and (3).

The various aspects of the present invention comprise using a combinedanalysis of the averages of three different CA Regions to assess (e.g.,detect, diagnose) HRD in a sample. Thus, in one aspect the inventionprovides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in asample comprising (1) determining the total number of LOH Regions of acertain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as definedherein) in the sample; (2) determining the total number of TAI Regionsof a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, asdefined herein) in the sample; (3) determining the total number of LSTRegions of a certain size or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”,as defined herein) in the sample; (4) calculating the average (e.g.,arithmetic mean) of the determinations made in (1), (2), and (3); and(5) assessing HRD in the sample based at least in part on the calculatedaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) made in (4).

As used herein, “CA Region Score” means a test value or score derived orcalculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) Indicator CARegions detected in a sample (e.g., a score or test value derived orcalculated from the number of Indicator CA Regions detected in asample). Analogously, as used herein, “LOH Region Score” is a subset ofCA Region Scores and means a test value or score derived or calculatedfrom (e.g., representing or corresponding to) Indicator LOH Regionsdetected in a sample (e.g., a score or test value derived or calculatedfrom the number of Indicator LOH Regions detected in a sample), and soon for TAI Region Score and LST Region Score. Such a score may in someembodiments be simply the number of Indicator CA Regions detected in asample. In some embodiments the score is more complicated, factoring inthe lengths of each Indicator CA Region or a subset of Indicator CARegions detected.

As discussed above, the invention will generally involve combining theanalysis of two or more types of CA Region Scores (which may include thenumber of such regions). Thus, in one aspect the invention provides amethod of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a samplecomprising (1) determining an LOH Region Score for the sample; (2)determining a TAI Region Score for the sample; and (3)(a) detecting (ordiagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in part on either the LOHRegion Score exceeding a reference or the TAI Region Score exceeding areference; or optionally (3)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) an absence ofHRD in the sample based at least in part on both the LOH Region Scorenot exceeding a reference and the TAI Region Score not exceeding areference. In another aspect the invention provides a method ofassessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1)determining an LOH Region Score for the sample; (2) determining an LSTRegion Score for the sample; and (3)(a) detecting (or diagnosing) HRD inthe sample based at least in part on either the LOH Region exceeding areference or the LST Region Score exceeding a reference; or optionally(3)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) an absence of HRD in the sample basedat least in part on both the LOH Region Score not exceeding a referenceand the LST Region Score not exceeding a reference. In another aspectthe invention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting,diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining a TAI RegionScore for the sample; (2) determining an LST Region Score for thesample; and (3)(a) detecting (or diagnosing) HRD in the sample based atleast in part on either the TAI Region Score exceeding a reference orthe LST Region Score exceeding a reference; or optionally (3)(b)detecting (or diagnosing) an absence of HRD in the sample based at leastin part on both the TAI Region Score not exceeding a reference and theLST Region Score not exceeding a reference. In another aspect theinvention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing)HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining an LOH Region Score for thesample; (2) determining a TAI Region Score for the sample; (3)determining an LST Region Score for the sample; and (4)(a) detecting (ordiagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in part on either the LOHRegion Score exceeding reference, the TAI Region Score exceeding areference or the LST Region Score exceeding a reference; or optionally(4)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) an absence of HRD in the sample basedat least in part on the LOH Region Score not exceeding a reference, theTAI Region Score not exceeding a reference and the LST Region Score notexceeding a reference.

In some embodiments the CA Region Score is a combination of scoresderived or calculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) twoor more of (1) the detected LOH Regions (“LOH Region Score”, as definedherein), (2) the detected TAI Regions (“TAI Region Score”, as definedherein), and/or (3) the detected LST Regions (“LST Region Score”, asdefined herein). In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and TAI RegionScore are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(TAI Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and TAI Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=0.32*(LOH Region Score)+0.68*(TAI Region Score)

OR

CA Region Score=0.34*(LOH Region Score)+0.66*(TAI Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score and LST Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments an LOH Region Score for a sample and an LST RegionScore for a sample are combined to yield a CA Region Score as follows:

CA Region Score=0.85*(LOH Region Score)+0.15*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the TAI Region Score and LST Region Score arecombined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(TAI Region Score)+B*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score, TAI Region Score and LSTRegion Score are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=A*(LOH Region Score)+B*(TAI Region Score)+C*(LST RegionScore)

In some embodiments the LOH Region Score, TAI Region Score and LSTRegion Score are combined as follows to yield a CA Region Score:

CA Region Score=0.21*(LOH Region Score)+0.67*(TAI RegionScore)+0.12*(LST Region Score)

OR

CA Region Score=[0.24]*(LOH Region Score)+[0.65]*(TAI RegionScore)+[0.11]*(LST Region Score)

OR

CA Region Score=[0.11]*(LOH Region Score)+[0.25]*(TAI RegionScore)+[0.12]*(LST Region Score)

In some embodiments the CA Region Score is a combination of scoresderived or calculated from (e.g., representing or corresponding to) theaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) of (1) the detected LOH Regions (“LOHRegion Score”, as defined herein), (2) the detected TAI Regions (“TAIRegion Score”, as defined herein), and/or (3) the detected LST Regions(“LST Region Score”, as defined herein) to yield a CA Region Scorecalculated from one of the following formulae:

${{CA}{Region}{Score}} = \frac{{A*\left( {{LOH}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {B*\left( {{TAI}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {C*\left( {{LST}{Region}{Score}} \right)}}{3}$${{CA}{Region}{Score}} = \frac{{A*\left( {{LOH}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {B*\left( {{TAI}{Region}{Score}} \right)}}{2}$${{CA}{Region}{Score}} = \frac{{A*\left( {{LOH}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {C*\left( {{LST}{Region}{Score}} \right)}}{2}$${{CA}{Region}{Score}} = \frac{{B*\left( {{TAI}{Region}{Score}} \right)} + {C*\left( {{LST}{Region}{Score}} \right)}}{2}$

In some embodiments, including some specifically illustrated herein, oneor more of these coefficients (i.e., A, B, or C, or any combinationthereof) is 1 and in some embodiments all three coefficients (i.e., A,B, and C) are 1. Thus, in some embodiments the CA Region Score=(LOHRegions Score)+(TAI Region Score)+(LST Region Score), wherein the LOHRegion Score is the number of Indicator LOH Regions (or the total lengthof LOH), the TAI Region Score is the number of Indicator TAI Regions (orthe total length of TAI), and the LST Region Score is the number ofIndicator LST Regions (or the total length of LST).

In some cases a formula may not have all of the specified coefficients(and thus not incorporate the corresponding variable(s)). For example,the embodiment mentioned immediately previously may be applied toformula (2) where A in formula (2) is 0.95 and B in formula (2) is 0.61.C and D would not be applicable as these coefficients and theircorresponding variables are not found in formula (2) (though theclinical variables are incorporated into the clinical score found informula (2)). In some embodiments A is between 0.9 and 1, 0.9 and 0.99,0.9 and 0.95, 0.85 and 0.95, 0.86 and 0.94, 0.87 and 0.93, 0.88 and0.92, 0.89 and 0.91, 0.85 and 0.9, 0.8 and 0.95, 0.8 and 0.9, 0.8 and0.85, 0.75 and 0.99, 0.75 and 0.95, 0.75 and 0.9, 0.75 and 0.85, orbetween 0.75 and 0.8. In some embodiments B is between 0.40 and 1, 0.45and 0.99, 0.45 and 0.95, 0.55 and 0.8, 0.55 and 0.7, 0.55 and 0.65, 0.59and 0.63, or between 0.6 and 0.62. In some embodiments C is, whereapplicable, between 0.9 and 1, 0.9 and 0.99, 0.9 and 0.95, 0.85 and0.95, 0.86 and 0.94, 0.87 and 0.93, 0.88 and 0.92, 0.89 and 0.91, 0.85and 0.9, 0.8 and 0.95, 0.8 and 0.9, 0.8 and 0.85, 0.75 and 0.99, 0.75and 0.95, 0.75 and 0.9, 0.75 and 0.85, or between 0.75 and 0.8. In someembodiments D is, where applicable, between 0.9 and 1, 0.9 and 0.99, 0.9and 0.95, 0.85 and 0.95, 0.86 and 0.94, 0.87 and 0.93, 0.88 and 0.92,0.89 and 0.91, 0.85 and 0.9, 0.8 and 0.95, 0.8 and 0.9, 0.8 and 0.85,0.75 and 0.99, 0.75 and 0.95, 0.75 and 0.9, 0.75 and 0.85, or between0.75 and 0.8.

In some embodiments A is between 0.1 and 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7,0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 0.2 and 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 0.3 and 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between0.4 and 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.5 and 0.6, 0.7,0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 0.6 and 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5,4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.7 and0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 0.8 and 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.9 and 1, 1.5,2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 1 and 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 1.5 and 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2 and 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4,4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2.5 and 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 3and 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 3.5 and 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 4 and 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 4.5 and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between5 and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 6 and 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 7 and 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 9 and 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 10 and 11, 12,13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between12 and 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 13 and 14, 15, or 20; or between 14and 15, or 20; or between 15 and 20; B is between 0.1 and 0.2, 0.3, 0.4,0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.2 and 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6,0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.3 and 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9,1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,or 20; or between 0.4 and 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between0.5 and 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.6 and 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 0.7 and 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.8 and 0.9, 1, 1.5,2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 0.9 and 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 1 and 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 1.5 and 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2and 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20;or between 2.5 and 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 3 and 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 3.5 and 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 4 and 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 4.5 and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 5 and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 7 and8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 9 and 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 10 and 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 11 and 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 12 and 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 13 and 14,15, or 20; or between 14 and 15, or 20; or between 15 and 20; C is,where applicable, between 0.1 and 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8,0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 0.2 and 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5,2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 0.3 and 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4,4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.4 and0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.5 and 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 0.6 and 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.7 and 0.8, 0.9,1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,or 20; or between 0.8 and 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.9 and 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5,3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between1 and 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 1.5 and 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2 and 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2.5 and 3, 3.5, 4,4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 3 and 3.5,4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 3.5 and4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 4 and4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 4.5 and 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 5 and 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 7 and 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 9 and 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 10 and 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 12 and 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 13 and 14, 15, or 20; or between 14 and 15, or 20; orbetween 15 and 20; and D is, where applicable, between 0.1 and 0.2, 0.3,0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.2 and 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.3 and 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8,0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 0.4 and 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5,3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between0.5 and 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.6 and 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 0.7 and 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 0.8 and 0.9, 1, 1.5,2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 0.9 and 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 1 and 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 1.5 and 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 2and 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20;or between 2.5 and 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 3 and 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 3.5 and 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 4 and 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 4.5 and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or20; or between 5 and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 6 and 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 7 and8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 8 and 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, or 20; or between 9 and 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; orbetween 10 and 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 11 and 12, 13, 14,15, or 20; or between 12 and 13, 14, 15, or 20; or between 13 and 14,15, or 20; or between 14 and 15, or 20; or between 15 and 20. In someembodiments, A, B, and/or C is within rounding of any of these values(e.g., A is between 0.45 and 0.54, etc.).

Thus, in one aspect the invention provides a method of assessing (e.g.,detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining an LOHRegion Score for the sample; (2) determining a TAI Region Score for thesample; and (3)(a) detecting (or diagnosing) HRD in the sample based atleast in part on a combination of the LOH Region Score and the TAIRegion Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) exceeding a reference;or optionally (3)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) an absence of HRD in thesample based at least in part on a combination of the LOH Region Scoreand the TAI Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) notexceeding a reference. In another aspect the invention provides a methodof assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising(1) determining an LOH Region Score for the sample; (2) determining anLST Region Score for the sample; and (3)(a) detecting (or diagnosing)HRD in the sample based at least in part on a combination of the LOHRegion Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score)exceeding a reference; or optionally (3)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) anabsence of HRD in the sample based at least in part on a combination ofthe LOH Region Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CARegion Score) not exceeding a reference. In another aspect the inventionprovides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in asample comprising (1) determining a TAI Region Score for the sample; (2)determining an LST Region Score for the sample; and (3)(a) detecting (ordiagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in part on a combination ofthe TAI Region Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CARegion Score) exceeding a reference; or optionally (3)(b) detecting (ordiagnosing) an absence of HRD in the sample based at least in part on acombination of the TAI Region Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., aCombined CA Region Score) not exceeding a reference. In another aspectthe invention provides a method of assessing (e.g., detecting,diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determining an LOH RegionScore for the sample; (2) determining a TAI Region Score for the sample;(3) determining an LST Region Score for the sample; and (4)(a) detecting(or diagnosing) HRD in the sample based at least in part on acombination of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Score and the LSTRegion Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) exceeding a reference;or optionally (4)(b) detecting (or diagnosing) an absence of HRD in thesample based at least in part on the LOH Region Score, the TAI RegionScore and the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) notexceeding a reference.

Thus another aspect of the invention provides a method of assessing(e.g., detecting, diagnosing) HRD in a sample comprising (1) determiningthe total number of LOH Regions of a certain size or character (e.g.,“Indicator LOH Regions”, as defined herein) in the sample; (2)determining the total number of TAI Regions of a certain size orcharacter (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, as defined herein) in thesample; (3) determining the total number of LST Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; (4) calculating the average (e.g., arithmetic mean) of thedeterminations made in (1), (2), and (3); and (5) assessing HRD in thesample based at least in part on the calculated average (e.g.,arithmetic mean) made in (4).

In some embodiments, the reference (or index) discussed above for the CARegion Score (e.g., the number of Indicator CA Regions) may be 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 or greater, preferably 5,preferably 8, more preferably 9 or 10, most preferably 10. The referencefor the total (e.g., combined) length of Indicator CA Regions may beabout 75, 90, 105, 120, 130, 135, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500 megabases or greater, preferably about75 megabases or greater, preferably about 90 or 105 megabases orgreater, more preferably about 120 or 130 megabases or greater, and morepreferably about 135 megabases or greater, and most preferably about 150megabases or greater. In some embodiments, the reference discussed abovefor the Combined CA Region Score (e.g., the combined number of IndicatorLOH Regions, Indicator, TAI Regions and/or Indicator LST Regions) may be5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28,30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 or greater, preferably 5,preferably 10, preferably 15, preferably 20, preferably 25, preferably30, preferably 35, preferably 40-44, most preferably >42. The referencefor the total (e.g., combined) length of Indicator LOH Regions,Indicator TAI Regions and/or Indicator LST Regions may be about 75, 90,105, 120, 130, 135, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325 350, 375,400, 425, 450, 475, 500 megabases or greater, preferably about 75megabases or greater, preferably about 90 or 105 megabases or greater,more preferably about 120 or 130 megabases or greater, and morepreferably about 135 megabases or greater, and most preferably about 150megabases or greater.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for detecting anHRD signature in a sample. Thus, another aspect of the inventionprovides a method for detecting an HRD signature in a sample comprising(1) determining the total number of LOH Regions of a certain size orcharacter (e.g., “Indicator LOH Regions”, as defined herein) in thesample; (2) determining the total number of TAI Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator TAI Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; (3) determining the total number of LST Regions of a certainsize or character (e.g., “Indicator LST Regions”, as defined herein) inthe sample; (4) combining the determinations made in (1), (2), and (3)(e.g., calculating or deriving a Combined CA Region Score); and (5)characterizing a sample in which the Combined CA Region Score is greaterthan a reference value as having an HRD signature. In some embodiments,the reference value is 42. Thus, in some embodiments a sample ischaracterized as having an HRD signature when the reference value is 42.In some embodiments, the reference discussed above for the Combined CARegion Score (e.g., the combined number of Indicator LOH Regions,Indicator, TAI Regions and/or Indicator LST Regions) may be 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34,36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 or greater, preferably 5, preferably 10,preferably 15, preferably 20, preferably 25, preferably 30, preferably35, preferably 40-44, most preferably >42.

In some embodiments, the number of Indicator CA Regions (or the combinedlength, a CA Region Score or a Combined CA Region Score) in a sample isconsidered “greater” than a reference if it is at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-,6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater than the reference while in someembodiments, it is considered “greater” if it is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater than the reference.Conversely, in some embodiments the number of Indicator CA Regions (orthe combined length, a CA Region Score or a Combined CA Region Score) ina sample is considered “not greater” than a reference if it is not morethan 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater than thereference while in some embodiments, it is considered “not greater” ifit is not more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviationsgreater than the reference.

In some embodiments the reference number (or length, value or score) isderived from a relevant reference population. Such reference populationsmay include patients (a) with the same cancer as the patient beingtested, (b) with the same cancer sub-type, (c) with cancer havingsimilar genetic or other clinical or molecular features, (d) whoresponded to a particular treatment, (e) who did not respond to aparticular treatment, (f) who are apparently healthy (e.g., do not haveany cancer or at least do not have the tested patient's cancer), etc.The reference number (or length, value or score) may be (a)representative of the number (or length, value or score) found in thereference population as a whole, (b) an average (mean, median, etc.) ofthe number (or length, value or score) found in the reference populationas a whole or a particular sub-population, (c) representative of thenumber (or length, value or score) (e.g., an average such as mean ormedian) found in terciles, quartiles, quintiles, etc. of the referencepopulation as ranked by (i) their respective number (or length, value orscore) or (ii) the clinical feature they were found to have (e.g.,strength of response, prognosis (including time to cancer-specificdeath), etc.), or (d) selected to have a high sensitivity for detectingHRD for predicting response to a particular therapy (e.g., platinum,PARP inhibitor, etc.).

In some embodiments the reference or index that, if exceeded by the testvalue or score from the sample, indicates HRD is the same as thereference that, if not exceeded by the test value or score from thesample, indicates the absence of HRD (or functional HDR). In someembodiments they are different.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of predictingthe status of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in a sample. Such method isanalogous to the methods described above and differs in that thedetermination of CA Regions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, orscores incorporating these are used to assess (e.g., detect) BRCA1and/or BRCA2 deficiency in the sample.

In another aspect, this invention provides a method of predicting acancer patient's response to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNAdamaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor,radiation, and/or a PARP inhibitor. Such method is analogous to themethods described above and differs in that the determination of CARegions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, or scores incorporatingthese, including high HRD scores (e.g., an HRD signature or a highcombined CA Region Score), are used to predict the likelihood that thecancer patient will respond to the cancer treatment regimen.

In some embodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients. Inanother aspect, this invention provides a method of treating cancer.Such method is analogous to the methods described above and differs inthat a particular treatment regimen is administered (recommended,prescribed, etc.) based at least in part on the determination of CARegions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LST Regions, or scores incorporatingthese.

In another aspect, this invention features the use of one or more drugsselected from the group consisting of DNA damaging agents,anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors, in themanufacture of a medicament useful for treating a cancer in a patientidentified as having (or as having had) a cancer cell determined to havehigh levels of HRD (e.g., an HRD signature) as described herein.

In another aspect, this document features a method for assessing asample for the presence of a mutation within a gene from an HDR pathway.Such method is analogous to the methods described above and differs inthat the determination of CA Regions, LOH Regions, TAI Regions, LSTRegions, or scores incorporating these are used to detect (or not) thepresence of a mutation within a gene from an HDR pathway.

In another aspect, this document features a method for assessing cancercells of a patient for the presence of an HRD signature. The methodcomprises, or consists essentially of, (a) detecting the presence ofmore than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least onepair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patient, and(b) identifying the patient as having cancer cells with the HRDsignature. In another aspect, this document features a method forassessing cancer cells of a patient for the presence of an HDR deficientstatus. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) detectingthe presence of more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions inat least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancerpatient, and (b) identifying the patient as having cancer cells with theHDR deficient status. In another aspect, this document features a methodfor assessing cancer cells of a patient for having an HRD signature. Themethod comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) detecting the presenceof more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least onepair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patient, and(b) identifying the patient as having cancer cells with an HRDsignature. In another aspect, this document features a method forassessing cancer cells of a patient for the presence of a geneticmutation within a gene from an HDR pathway. The method comprises, orconsists essentially of, (a) detecting the presence of more than areference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patient, and (b) identifyingthe patient as having cancer cells with the genetic mutation.

In another aspect, this document features a method for determining if apatient is likely to respond to a cancer treatment regimen comprisingadministering radiation or a drug selected from the group consisting ofDNA damaging agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, andPARP inhibitors. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)detecting the presence of more than a reference number of Indicator CARegions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell ofthe cancer patient, and (b) identifying the patient as being likely torespond to the cancer treatment regimen. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for assessing a patient. The methodcomprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that the patientcomprises cancer cells having an HRD signature, wherein the presence ofmore than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least onepair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patientindicates that the cancer cells have the HRD signature, and (b)diagnosing the patient as having cancer cells with the HRD signature. Inanother aspect, this document features a method for assessing a patient.The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining thatthe patient comprises cancer cells having an HDR deficiency status,wherein the presence of more than a reference number of Indicator CARegions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell ofthe cancer patient indicates that the cancer cells have the HDRdeficiency status, and (b) diagnosing the patient as having cancer cellswith the HDR deficient status. In another aspect, this document featuresa method for assessing a patient. The method comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) determining that the patient comprises cancer cellshaving an HDR deficient status, wherein the presence of more than areference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that thecancer cells have high HDR, and (b) diagnosing the patient as havingcancer cells with an HDR deficient status. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for assessing a patient. The methodcomprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that the patientcomprises cancer cells having a genetic mutation within a gene from anHDR pathway, wherein the presence of more than a reference number ofIndicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of acancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer cells havethe genetic mutation, and (b) diagnosing the patient as having cancercells with the genetic mutation. In another aspect, this documentfeatures a method for assessing a patient for a likelihood to respond toa cancer treatment regimen comprising administering radiation or a drugselected from the group consisting of DNA damaging agents,anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors. Themethod comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that thepatient comprises cancer cells having an HRD signature, wherein thepresence of more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in atleast one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancerpatient indicates that the cancer cells have the HRD signature, and (b)diagnosing, based at least in part on the presence of the HRD signature,the patient as being likely to respond to the cancer treatment regimen.In another aspect, this document features a method for assessing apatient for a likelihood to respond to a cancer treatment regimencomprising administering radiation or a drug selected from the groupconsisting of DNA damaging agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase Iinhibitors, and PARP inhibitors. The method comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) determining that the patient comprises cancer cellshaving an HRD signature, wherein the presence of more than a referencenumber of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomesof a cancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer cellshave an HRD signature, and (b) diagnosing, based at least in part on thepresence of the HRD signature, the patient as being likely to respond tothe cancer treatment regimen.

In another aspect, this document features a method for performing adiagnostic analysis of a cancer cell of a patient. The method comprises,or consists essentially of, (a) detecting the presence of more than areference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes of the cancer cell, and (b) identifying or classifying thepatient as having cancer cells with an HRD signature. In another aspect,this document features a method for performing a diagnostic analysis ofa cancer cell of a patient. The method comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) detecting the presence of more than a referencenumber of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomesof the cancer cell, and (b) identifying or classifying the patient ashaving cancer cells with a HDR deficient status. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for performing a diagnostic analysis of acancer cell of a patient. The method comprises, or consists essentiallyof, (a) detecting the presence of more than a reference number ofIndicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of thecancer cell, and (b) identifying or classifying the patient as havingcancer cells with an HDR deficient status. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for performing a diagnostic analysis of acancer cell of a patient. The method comprises, or consists essentiallyof, (a) detecting the presence of more than a reference number ofIndicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of thecancer cell that are longer, and (b) identifying or classifying thepatient as having cancer cells with a genetic mutation within a genefrom an HDR pathway. In another aspect, this document features a methodfor performing a diagnostic analysis of a cancer cell of a patient todetermine if the cancer patient is likely to respond to a cancertreatment regimen comprising administering radiation or a drug selectedfrom the group consisting of DNA damaging agents, anthracyclines,topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors. The method comprises,or consists essentially of, (a) detecting the presence of more than areference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes of the cancer cell, and (b) identifying or classifying thepatient as being likely to respond to the cancer treatment regimen.

In another aspect, this document features a method for diagnosing apatient as having cancer cells having an HRD signature. The methodcomprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that the patientcomprises cancer cells having the HRD signature, wherein the presence ofmore than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in at least onepair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancer patientindicates that the cancer cells have the HRD signature, and (b)diagnosing the patient as having cancer cells with the HRD signature. Inanother aspect, this document features a method for diagnosing a patientas having cancer cells with an HDR deficient status. The methodcomprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that the patientcomprises cancer cells having the HDR deficiency status, wherein thepresence of more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in atleast one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancerpatient indicates that the cancer cells have the HDR deficiency status,and (b) diagnosing the patient as having cancer cells with the HDRdeficient status. In another aspect, this document features a method fordiagnosing a patient as having cancer cells with an HDR deficientstatus. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)determining that the patient comprises cancer cells having the HDRdeficient status, wherein the presence of more than a reference numberof Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of acancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer cells havethe HDR deficient status, and (b) diagnosing the patient as havingcancer cells with the HDR deficient status. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for diagnosing a patient as having cancercells with a genetic mutation within a gene from an HDR pathway. Themethod comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that thepatient comprises cancer cells having the genetic mutation, wherein thepresence of more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in atleast one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancerpatient indicates that the cancer cells have the genetic mutation, and(b) diagnosing the patient as having cancer cells with the geneticmutation. In another aspect, this document features a method fordiagnosing a patient as being a candidate for a cancer treatment regimencomprising administering radiation or a drug selected from the groupconsisting of DNA damaging agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase Iinhibitors, and PARP inhibitors. The method comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) determining that the patient comprises cancer cellshaving an HRD signature, wherein the presence of more than a referencenumber of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomesof a cancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer cellshave the HRD signature, and (b) diagnosing, based at least in part onthe presence of the HRD signature, the patient as being likely torespond to the cancer treatment regimen. In another aspect, thisdocument features a method for diagnosing a patient as being a candidatefor a cancer treatment regimen comprising administering radiation or adrug selected from the group consisting of DNA damaging agents,anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors. Themethod comprises, or consists essentially of, (a) determining that thepatient comprises cancer cells having high an HRD signature, wherein thepresence of more than a reference number of Indicator CA Regions in atleast one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the cancerpatient indicates that the cancer cells have an HRD signature, and (b)diagnosing, based at least in part on the presence of the HRD signature,the patient as being likely to respond to the cancer treatment regimen.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for assessing apatient. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)determining whether the patient has (or had) cancer cells with more thana reference number of Indicator CA Regions (or, e.g., a CA Region Scoreexceeding a reference CA Region Score); and (b)(1) diagnosing thepatient as having cancer cells with HRD if it is determined that thepatient has (or had) cancer cells with more than a reference number ofCA Regions (or, e.g., a CA Region Score exceeding a reference CA RegionScore); or (b)(2) diagnosing the patient as not having cancer cells withHRD if it is determined that the patient does not have (or has not had)cancer cells with more than a reference number of CA Regions (or, e.g.,the patient does not have (or has not had) cancer cells with a CA RegionScore exceeding a reference CA Region Score).

In another aspect, this invention features the use of a plurality ofoligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to a plurality of polymorphicregions of human genomic DNA, in the manufacture of a diagnostic kituseful for determining the total number or combined length of CA Regionsin at least a chromosome pair (or DNA derived therefrom) in a sampleobtained from a cancer patient, and for detecting (a) HRD, high HRD, orlikelihood of HRD (each, e.g., an HRD signature) in the sample, (b)deficiency (or likelihood of deficiency) in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene in thesample, or (c) an increased likelihood that the cancer patient willrespond to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent,an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, or a PARPinhibitor.

In another aspect, this invention features a system for detecting HRD(e.g., an HRD signature) in a sample. The system comprises, or consistsessentially of, (a) a sample analyzer configured to produce a pluralityof signals about genomic DNA of at least one pair of human chromosomes(or DNA derived therefrom) in the sample, and (b) a computer sub-systemprogrammed to calculate, based on the plurality of signals, the numberor combined length of CA Regions in the at least one pair of humanchromosomes. The computer sub-system can be programmed to compare thenumber or combined length of CA Regions to a reference number to detect(a) HRD, high HRD, or likelihood of HRD (each, e.g., an HRD signature)in the sample, (b) deficiency (or likelihood of deficiency) in a BRCA1or BRCA2 gene in the sample, or (c) an increased likelihood that thecancer patient will respond to a cancer treatment regimen comprising aDNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor,radiation, or a PARP inhibitor. The system can comprise an output moduleconfigured to display (a), (b), or (c). The system can comprise anoutput module configured to display a recommendation for the use of thecancer treatment regimen.

In another aspect, the invention provides a computer program productembodied in a computer readable medium that, when executing on acomputer, provides instructions for detecting the presence or absence ofany CA Region along one or more of human chromosomes other than thehuman X and Y sex chromosomes (the CA Regions optionally being IndicatorCA Regions); and determining the total number or combined length of theCA Regions in the one or more chromosome pairs. The computer programproduct can include other instructions.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a diagnostic kit. Thekit comprises, or consists essentially of, at least 500 oligonucleotidescapable of hybridizing to a plurality of polymorphic regions of humangenomic DNA (or DNA derived therefrom); and a computer program productprovided herein. The computer program product can be embodied in acomputer readable medium that, when executing on a computer, providesinstructions for detecting the presence or absence of any CA Regionalong one or more of human chromosomes other than the human X and Y sexchromosomes (the CA Regions optionally being Indicator CA Regions); anddetermining the total number or combined length of the CA Regions in theone or more chromosome pairs. The computer program product can includeother instructions.

In some embodiments of any one or more of the aspects of the inventiondescribed in the preceding paragraphs, any one or more of the followingcan be applied as appropriate. The CA Regions can be determined in atleast two, five, ten, or 21 pairs of human chromosomes. The cancer cellcan be an ovarian, breast, lung or esophageal cancer cell. The referencecan be 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 20 or greater.The at least one pair of human chromosomes can exclude human chromosome17. The DNA damaging agent can be cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin,or picoplatin, the anthracycline can be epirubincin or doxorubicin, thetopoisomerase I inhibitor can be campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan,or the PARP inhibitor can be iniparib, olaparib or velapirib. Thepatient can be a treatment naïve patient.

As described herein, a sample (e.g., cancer cell sample or a samplecontaining DNA derived from one or more cancer cells) can be identifiedas having an “HRD signature” (or alternatively called “HDR-deficiencysignature”) if the genome of the cells being assessed contains (a) anyof an LOH Region Score, a TAI Region Score or an LST Region Scoreexceeding a reference or (b) a Combined CA Region Score exceeding areference. Conversely, a sample (e.g., cancer cell sample or a samplecontaining DNA derived from one or more cancer cells) can be identifiedas lacking an “HRD signature” (or alternatively called “HDR-deficiencysignature”) if the genome of the cells being assessed contains (a) anLOH Region Score, a TAI Region Score and an LST Region Score each notexceeding a reference or (b) a Combined CA Region Score not exceeding areference.

Cells (e.g., cancer cells) identified as having an HRD signature can beclassified as having an increased likelihood of having an HDR deficiencyand/or as having an increased likelihood of having a deficient status inone or more genes in the HDR pathway. For example, cancer cellsidentified as having an HRD signature can be classified as having anincreased likelihood of having an HDR deficient status. In some cases,cancer cells identified as having an HRD signature can be classified ashaving an increased likelihood of having a deficient status for one ormore genes in the HDR pathway. As used herein, deficient status for agene means the sequence, structure, expression and/or activity of thegene or its product is/are deficient as compared to normal. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, low or no mRNA or protein expression,deleterious mutations, hypermethylation, attenuated activity (e.g.,enzymatic activity, ability to bind to another biomolecule), etc. Asused herein, deficient status for a pathway (e.g., HDR pathway) means atleast one gene in that pathway (e.g., BRCA1) is deficient. Examples ofhighly deleterious mutations include frameshift mutations, stop codonmutations, and mutations that lead to altered RNA splicing. Deficientstatus in a gene in the HDR pathway may result in deficiency or reducedactivity in homology directed repair in the cancer cells. Examples ofgenes in the HDR pathway include, without limitation, the genes listedin Table 1.

TABLE 1 Selected HDR Pathway Genes Entrez Gene Gene Symbol Entrez Name(if assigned) Gene Id BLM BLM 641 BRCA1 BRCA1 672 BRCA2 BRCA2 675 CtIPRBBP8 5932 DNA POLD1 5424 polymerase POLD2 5424 delta POLD3 10714 POLD457804 DNA POLH 5429 polymerase eta DNA2 DNA2 1763 EME1 EME1 146956 ERCC1ERCC1 2067 EXO1 EXO1 9156 FANCM FANCM 57697 GEN1 GEN1 348654 MRE11MRE11A 4361 MUS81 MUS81 80198 NBS1 NBN 4683 PALB2 PALB2 79728 PCNA PCNA5111 RAD50 RAD50 10111 RAD51 RAD51 5888 RAD51AP1 RAD51AP1 10635 RAD51BRAD51L1 5890 RAD51C RAD51C 5889 RAD51D RAD51L3 5892 RAD54 ATRX 546RAD54B RAD54B 25788 RMI1 RMI1 80010 RMI2 C16orf75 116028 RPA RPA1 6117RTEL1 RTEL1 51750 SLX1 SLX2 SLX4 SLX4 84464 TOP2A TOP2A 7153 XPF ERCC42072 XRCC2 XRCC2 7516 XRCC3 XRCC3 7517

As described herein, identifying CA loci (as well as the size and numberof CA Regions) can include, first, determining the genotype of a sampleat various genomic loci (e.g., SNP loci, individual bases in large-scalesequencing) and, second, determining whether the loci exhibit any ofLOH, TAI or LST. Any appropriate technique can be used to determinegenotypes at loci of interest within the genome of a cell. For example,single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays (e.g., human genome-wide SNParrays), targeted sequencing of loci of interest (e.g., sequencing SNPloci and their surrounding sequences), and even large-scale sequencing(e.g., whole exome, transcriptome, or genome sequencing) can be used toidentify loci as being homozygous or heterozygous. Typically, ananalysis of the homozygous or heterozygous nature of loci over a lengthof a chromosome can be performed to determine the length of CA Regions.For example, a stretch of SNP locations that are spaced apart (e.g.,spaced about 25 kb to about 100 kb apart) along a chromosome can beevaluated using SNP array results to determine not only the presence ofa region of homozygosity (e.g., LOH) along a chromosome but also thelength of that region. Results from a SNP array can be used to generatea graph that plots allele dosages along a chromosome. Allele dosaged_(i) for SNP i can be calculated from adjusted signal intensities oftwo alleles (A_(i) and B_(i)): d_(i)=A_(i)/(A_(i)+B_(i)). An example ofsuch a graph is presented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , which show the differencebetween fresh frozen and FFPE samples and between SNP microarray and SNPsequencing analyses. Numerous variations on nucleic acid arrays usefulin the invention are known in the art. These include the arrays used inthe various examples below (e.g., Affymetrix 500K GeneChip array inExample 3; Affymetrix OncoScan™ FFPE Express 2.0 Services (Formerly MIPCN Services) in Example 4).

Once a sample's genotype has been determined for a plurality of loci(e.g., SNPs), common techniques can be used to identify loci and regionsof LOH, TAI and LST (including those described in InternationalApplication no. PCT/US2011/040953 (published as WO/2011/160063);International Application no. PCT/US2011/048427 (published asWO/2012/027224); Popova et al., Ploidy and large-scale genomicinstability consistently identify basal-like breast carcinomas withBRCA1/2 inactivation, CANCER RES. (2012) 72:5454-5462). In someembodiments determining whether chromosomal imbalance or large scaletransitions includes determining whether these are somatic or germlineaberrations. One way to determine to do this is to compare the somaticgenotype to the germline. For example, the genotype for a plurality ofloci (e.g., SNPs) can be determined in both a germline (e.g., blood)sample and a somatic (e.g., tumor) sample. The genotypes for each samplecan be compared (typically computationally) to determine where thegenome of the germline cell was heterozygous and the genome of thesomatic cell is homozygous. Such loci are LOH loci and regions of suchloci are LOH Regions.

Computational techniques can also be used to determine whether anaberration is germline or somatic. Such techniques are particularlyuseful when a germline sample is not available for analysis andcomparison. For example, algorithms such as those described elsewherecan be used to detect LOH regions using information from SNP arrays(Nannya et al., Cancer Res. (2005) 65:6071-6079 (2005)). Typically thesealgorithms do not explicitly take into account contamination of tumorsamples with benign tissue. Cf. International Application No.PCT/US2011/026098 to Abkevich et al.; Goransson et al., PLoS One (2009)4(6):e6057. This contamination is often high enough to make thedetection of LOH regions challenging. Improved analytical methodsaccording to the present invention for identifying LOH, TAI and LST,even in spite of contamination, include those embodied in computersoftware products as described below.

The following is one example. If the observed ratio of the signals oftwo alleles, A and B, is two to one, there are two possibilities. Thefirst possibility is that cancer cells have LOH with deletion of alleleB in a sample with 50% contamination with normal cells. The secondpossibility is that there is no LOH but allele A is duplicated in asample with no contamination with normal cells. An algorithm can beimplemented as a computer program as described herein to reconstruct LOHregions based on genotype (e.g., SNP genotype) data. One point of thealgorithm is to first reconstruct allele specific copy numbers (ASCN) ateach locus (e.g., SNP). ASCNs are the numbers of copies of both paternaland maternal alleles. An LOH region is then determined as a stretch ofSNPs with one of the ASCNs (paternal or maternal) being zero. Thealgorithm can be based on maximizing a likelihood function and can beconceptually akin to a previously described algorithm designed toreconstruct total copy number (rather than ASCN) at each locus (e.g.,SNP). See International Application No. PCT/US2011/026098 to Abkevich etal. The likelihood function can be maximized over ASCN of all loci,level of contamination with benign tissue, total copy number averagedover the whole genome, and sample specific noise level. The input datafor the algorithm can include or consist of (1) sample-specificnormalized signal intensities for both allele of each locus and (2)assay-specific (specific for different SNP arrays and for sequence basedapproach) set of parameters defined based on analysis of large number ofsamples with known ASCN profiles.

In some cases, nucleic acid sequencing techniques can be used togenotype loci. For example, genomic DNA from a cell sample (e.g., acancer cell sample) can be extracted and fragmented. Any appropriatemethod can be used to extract and fragment genomic nucleic acidincluding, without limitation, commercial kits such as QIAamp™ DNA MiniKit (Qiagen™), MagNA™ Pure DNA Isolation Kit (Roche Applied Science™)and GenElute™ Mammalian Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit (Sigma-Aldrich™). Onceextracted and fragmented, either targeted or untargeted sequencing canbe done to determine the sample's genotypes at loci. For example, wholegenome, whole transcriptome, or whole exome sequencing can be done todetermine genotypes at millions or even billions of base pairs (i.e.,base pairs can be “loci” to be evaluated).

In some cases, targeted sequencing of known polymorphic loci (e.g., SNPsand surrounding sequences) can be done as an alternative to microarrayanalysis. For example, the genomic DNA can be enriched for thosefragments containing a locus (e.g., SNP location) to be analyzed usingkits designed for this purpose (e.g., Agilent SureSelect™, IlluminaTruSeq Capture™ and Nimblegen SeqCap EZ Choice™). For example, genomicDNA containing the loci to be analyzed can be hybridized to biotinylatedcapture RNA fragments to form biotinylated RNA/genomic DNA complexes.Alternatively, DNA capture probes may be utilized resulting in theformation of biotinylated DNA/genomic DNA hybrids. Streptavidin coatedmagnetic beads and a magnetic force can be used to separate thebiotinylated RNA/genomic DNA complexes from those genomic DNA fragmentsnot present within a biotinylated RNA/genomic DNA complex. The obtainedbiotinylated RNA/genomic DNA complexes can be treated to remove thecaptured RNA from the magnetic beads, thereby leaving intact genomic DNAfragments containing a locus to be analyzed. These intact genomic DNAfragments containing the loci to be analyzed can be amplified using, forexample, PCR techniques. The amplified genomic DNA fragments can besequenced using a high-throughput sequencing technology or anext-generation sequencing technology such as Illumina HiSeq™, IlluminaMiSeq™, Life Technologies SoLID™ or Ion Torrent™, or Roche 454™.

The sequencing results from the genomic DNA fragments can be used toidentify loci as exhibiting or not exhibiting a CA, analogous to themicroarray analysis described herein. In some cases, an analysis of thegenotype of loci over a length of a chromosome can be performed todetermine the length of CA Regions. For example, a stretch of SNPlocations that are spaced apart (e.g., spaced about 25 kb to about 100kb apart) along a chromosome can be evaluated by sequencing, and thesequencing results used to determine not only the presence of a CARegion but also the length of that CA Region. Obtained sequencingresults can be used to generate a graph that plots allele dosages alonga chromosome. Allele dosage d_(i) for SNP i can be calculated fromadjusted number of captured probes for two alleles (A_(i) and B_(i)):d_(i)=A_(i)/(A_(i)+B_(i)). An example of such a graph is presented inFIGS. 1 and 2 . Determining whether an aberration is germline or somaticcan be performed as described herein.

In some cases, a selection process can be used to select loci (e.g., SNPloci) to be evaluated using an assay configured to genotype loci (e.g.,SNP array-based assays and sequencing-based assays). For example, anyhuman SNP location can be selected for inclusion in a SNP array-basedassay or a sequencing-based assay configured to genotype loci. In somecases, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 million or more SNP locations presentwithin the human genome can be evaluated to identify those SNPs that (a)are not present on the Y chromosome, (b) are not mitochondrial SNPs, (c)have a minor allele frequency of at least about five percent inCaucasians, (d) have a minor allele frequency of at least about onepercent in three races other than Caucasians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese,and Yoruba), and/or (e) do not have a significant deviation from HardyWeinberg equilibrium in any of the four races. In some cases, more than100,000, 150,000, or 200,000 human SNPs can be selected that meetcriteria (a) through (e). Of the human SNPs meeting criteria (a) through(e), a group of SNPs (e.g., top 110,000 SNPs) can be selected such thatthe SNPs have a high degree of allele frequency in Caucasians, cover thehuman genome in a somewhat evenly spaced manner (e.g., at least one SNPevery about 25 kb to about 500 kb), and are not in linkagedisequilibrium with another selected SNP for in any of the four races.In some cases, about 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 thousandor more SNPs can be selected as meeting each of these criteria andincluded in an assay configured to identify CA Regions across a humangenome. For example, between about 70,000 and about 90,000 (e.g., about80,000) SNPs can be selected for analysis with a SNP array-based assay,and between about 45,000 and about 55,000 (e.g., about 54,000) SNPs canbe selected for analysis with a sequencing-based assay.

As described herein, any appropriate type of sample can be assessed. Forexample, a sample containing cancer cells can be assessed to determineif the genome of the cancer cells contains an HRD signature, lacks anHRD signature, has an increased number of Indicator CA Regions or has anincreased CA Region Score. Examples of samples containing cancer cellsthat can be assessed as described herein include, without limitation,tumor biopsy samples (e.g., breast tumor biopsy samples),formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples containing cancercells, core needle biopsies, fine needle aspirates, and samplescontaining cancer cells shed from a tumor (e.g., blood, urine or otherbodily fluids). For formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples,the sample can be prepared by DNA extraction using a genomic DNAextraction kit optimized for FFPE tissue, including but not limited tothose described above (e.g., QuickExtract™ FFPE DNA Extraction Kit(Epicentre™), and QIAamp™ DNA FFPE Tissue Kit (Qiagen™)).

In some cases, laser dissection techniques can be performed on a tissuesample to minimize the number of non-cancer cells within a cancer cellsample to be assessed. In some cases, antibody based purificationmethods can be used to enrich for cancer cells and/or deplete non-cancercells. Examples of antibodies that could be used for cancer cellenrichment include, without limitation, anti-EpCAM, anti-TROP-2,anti-c-Met, anti-Folate binding protein, anti-N-Cadherin, anti-CD318,anti-antimesencymal stem cell antigen, anti-Her2, anti-MUC1, anti-EGFR,anti-cytokeratins (e.g., cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, etc.),anti-Caveolin-1, anti-PSA, anti-CA125, and anti-surfactant proteinantibodies.

Any type of cancer cell can be assessed using the methods and materialsdescribed herein. For example, breast cancer cells, ovarian cancercells, liver cancer cells, esophageal cancer cells, lung cancer cells,head and neck cancer cells, prostate cancer cells, colon, rectal, orcolorectal cancer cells, and pancreatic cancer cells can be assessed todetermine if the genome of the cancer cells contains an HRD signature,lacks an HRD signature, has an increased number of Indicator CA Regionsor has an increased CA Region Score. In some embodiments, the cancercells are primary or metastatic cancer cells of ovarian cancer, breastcancer, lung cancer or esophageal cancer.

When assessing the genome of cancer cells for the presence or absence ofan HRD signature, one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, or 23) pairs of chromosomes can be assessed. In some cases, thegenome of cancer cells is assessed for the presence or absence of an HRDsignature using one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23) pairs of chromosomes.

In some cases, it can be helpful to exclude certain chromosomes fromthis analysis. For example, in the case of females, a pair to beassessed can include the pair of X sex chromosomes; whereas, in the caseof males, a pair of any autosomal chromosomes (i.e., any pair other thanthe pair of X and Y sex chromosomes) can be assessed. As anotherexample, in some cases the chromosome number 17 pair may be excludedfrom the analysis. It has been determined that certain chromosomes carryunusually high levels of CA in certain cancers and, thus, it can behelpful to exclude such chromosomes when analyzing samples as describedherein from patients having these cancers. In some cases, the sample isfrom a patient having ovarian cancer, and the chromosome to be excludedis chromosome 17.

Thus, a predefined number of chromosomes may be analyzed to determinethe number of Indicator CA Regions (or the CA Region Score or CombinedCA Region Score), preferably the number of CA Regions of a length ofgreater than 9 megabases, 10 megabases, 12 megabases, 14 megabases, morepreferably greater than 15 megabases. Alternatively or in addition, thesizes of all identified Indicator CA Regions may be summed up to obtaina total length of Indicator CA Regions.

As described herein, patients having cancer cells (or samples derivedtherefrom) identified as having an HRD signature status can beclassified, based at least in part on such HRD signature, as beinglikely to respond to a particular cancer treatment regimen. For example,patients having cancer cells with an HRD signature can be classified,based at least in part on such HRD signature, as being likely to respondto a cancer treatment regimen that includes the use of a DNA damagingagent, a synthetic lethality agent (e.g., a PARP inhibitor), radiation,or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the patients are treatmentnaïve patients. Examples of DNA damaging agents include, withoutlimitation, platinum-based chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cisplatin,carboplatin, oxaliplatin, and picoplatin), anthracyclines (e.g.,epirubicin and doxorubicin), topoisomerase I inhibitors (e.g.,campothecin, topotecan, and irinotecan), DNA crosslinkers such asmitomycin C, and triazene compounds (e.g., dacarbazine andtemozolomide). Synthetic lethality therapeutic approaches typicallyinvolve administering an agent that inhibits at least one criticalcomponent of a biological pathway that is especially important to aparticular tumor cell's survival. For example, when a tumor cell has adeficient homologous repair pathway (e.g., as determined according tothe present invention), inhibitors of poly ADP ribose polymerase (orplatinum drugs, double strand break repair inhibitors, etc.) can beespecially potent against such tumors because two pathways critical tosurvival become obstructed (one biologically, e.g., by BRCA1 mutation,and the other synthetically, e.g., by administration of a pathway drug).Synthetic lethality approaches to cancer therapy are described in, e.g.,O'Brien et al., Converting cancer mutations into therapeuticopportunities, EMBO MOL. MED. (2009) 1:297-299. Examples of syntheticlethality agents include, without limitation, PARP inhibitors or doublestrand break repair inhibitors in homologous repair-deficient tumorcells, PARP inhibitors in PTEN-deficient tumor cells, methotrexate inMSH2-deficient tumor cells, etc. Examples of PARP inhibitors include,without limitation, olaparib, iniparib, and veliparib. Examples ofdouble strand break repair inhibitors include, without limitation,KU55933 (ATM inhibitor) and NU7441 (DNA-PKcs inhibitor). Examples ofinformation that can be used in addition to the presence of an HRDsignature to base a classification of being likely to respond to aparticular cancer treatment regimen include, without limitation,previous treatment results, germline or somatic DNA mutations, gene orprotein expression profiling (e.g., ER/PR/HER2 status, PSA levels),tumor histology (e.g., adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma,papillary serous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, invasive ductalcarcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ (non-invasive), etc.), diseasestage, tumor or cancer grade (e.g., well, moderately, or poorlydifferentiated (e.g., Gleason, modified Bloom Richardson), etc.), numberof previous courses of treatment, etc.

Once classified as being likely to respond to a particular cancertreatment regimen (e.g., a cancer treatment regimen that includes theuse of a DNA damaging agent, a PARP inhibitor, radiation, or acombination thereof), the cancer patient can be treated with such acancer treatment regimen. In some embodiments, the patients aretreatment naïve patients. The invention thus provides a method oftreating a patient comprising detecting an HRD signature as describedherein and administering (or recommending or prescribing) a treatmentregimen comprising the use of a DNA damaging agent, a PARP inhibitor,radiation, or a combination thereof. Any appropriate method for treatingthe cancer at issue can be used to treat a cancer patient identified ashaving cancer cells having an HRD signature. For example, platinum-basedchemotherapy drugs or a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy drugscan be used to treat cancer as described elsewhere (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,892,790, 3,904,663, 7,759,510, 7,759,488 and 7,754,684. In somecases, anthracyclines or a combination of anthracyclines can be used totreat cancer as described elsewhere (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.3,590,028, 4,138,480, 4,950,738, 6,087,340, 7,868,040, and 7,485,707).In some cases, topoisomerase I inhibitors or a combination oftopoisomerase I inhibitors can be used to treat cancer as describedelsewhere (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,633,016 and 6,403,563. In somecases, PARP inhibitors or a combination of PARP inhibitors can be usedto treat cancer as described elsewhere (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,177,075, 7,915,280, and 7,351,701. In some cases, radiation can beused to treat cancer as described elsewhere (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,295,944). In some cases, a combination comprising different agents(e.g., a combination comprising any of platinum-based chemotherapydrugs, anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and/or PARPinhibitors) with or without radiation treatments can be used to treatcancer. In some cases, a combination treatment may comprise any of theabove agents or treatments (e.g., a DNA damaging agent, a PARPinhibitor, radiation, or a combination thereof) together with anotheragent or treatment—e.g., a taxane agent (e.g., doxetaxel, paclitaxel,abraxane), a growth factor or growth factor receptor inhibitor (e.g.,erlotinib, gefitinib, lapatinib, sunitinib, bevacizumab, cetuximab,trastuzumab, panitumumab), and/or an antimetabolite (e.g.,5-flourouracil, methotrexate).

In some cases, patients identified as having cancer cells lacking an HRDsignature can be classified, based at least in part on a sample lackingan HRD signature, as being less likely to respond to a treatment regimenthat includes a DNA damaging agent, a PARP inhibitor, radiation, or acombination thereof. In turn, such a patient can be classified as likelyto respond to a cancer treatment regimen that includes the use of one ormore cancer treatment agents not associated with HDR, such as a taxaneagent (e.g., doxetaxel, paclitaxel, abraxane), a growth factor or growthfactor receptor inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib, gefitinib, lapatinib,sunitinib, bevacizumab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, panitumumab), and/or anantimetabolite agent (e.g., 5-flourouracil, methotrexate). In someembodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients. Once classifiedas being likely to respond to a particular cancer treatment regimen(e.g., a cancer treatment regimen that includes the use of a cancertreatment agent not associated with HDR), the cancer patient can betreated with such a cancer treatment regimen. The invention thusprovides a method of treating a patient comprising detecting the absenceof an HRD signature as described herein and administering (orrecommending or prescribing) a treatment regimen not comprising the useof a DNA damaging agent, a PARP inhibitor, radiation, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments the treatment regimen comprises one or moreof a taxane agent (e.g., doxetaxel, paclitaxel, abraxane), a growthfactor or growth factor receptor inhibitor (e.g., erlotinib, gefitinib,lapatinib, sunitinib, bevacizumab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, panitumumab),and/or an antimetabolite agent (e.g., 5-flourouracil, methotrexate). Anyappropriate method for the cancer being treated can be used to treat acancer patient identified as having cancer cells lacking an HRDsignature. Examples of information that can be used in addition to theabsence of an HRD signature to base a classification of being likely torespond to a particular cancer treatment regimen include, withoutlimitation, previous treatment results, germline or somatic DNAmutations, gene or protein expression profiling (e.g., ER/PR/HER2status, PSA levels), tumor histology (e.g., adenocarcinoma, squamouscell carcinoma, papillary serous carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, invasiveductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ (non-invasive), etc.),disease stage, tumor or cancer grade (e.g., well, moderately, or poorlydifferentiated (e.g., Gleason, modified Bloom Richardson), etc.), numberof previous courses of treatment, etc.

Once treated for a particular period of time (e.g., between one to sixmonths), the patient can be assessed to determine whether or not thetreatment regimen has an effect. If a beneficial effect is detected, thepatient can continue with the same or a similar cancer treatmentregimen. If a minimal or no beneficial effect is detected, thenadjustments to the cancer treatment regimen can be made. For example,the dose, frequency of administration, or duration of treatment can beincreased. In some cases, additional anti-cancer agents can be added tothe treatment regimen or a particular anti-cancer agent can be replacedwith one or more different anti-cancer agents. The patient being treatedcan continue to be monitored as appropriate, and changes can be made tothe cancer treatment regimen as appropriate.

In addition to predicting likely treatment response or selectingdesirable treatment regimens, an HRD signature can be used to determinea patient's prognosis. Thus, in one aspect, this document features amethod for determining a patient's prognosis based at least in part ofdetecting the presence or absence of an HRD signature in a sample fromthe patient. The method comprises, or consists essentially of, (a)determining whether a sample from the patient comprises cancer cells (orwhether a sample comprises DNA derived from such cells) having an HRDsignature (sometimes referred to herein as having high HRD) as describedherein (e.g., wherein the presence of more Indicator CA Regions or ahigher CA Region Score or Combined CA Region Score than a reference),and (b)(1) determining, based at least in part on the presence of theHRD signature or having high HRD, that the patient has a relatively goodprognosis, or (b)(2) determining, based at least in part on the absenceof the HRD signature, that the patient has a relatively poor prognosis.Prognosis may include the patient's likelihood of survival (e.g.,progression-free survival, overall survival), wherein a relatively goodprognosis would include an increased likelihood of survival as comparedto some reference population (e.g., average patient with this patient'scancer type/subtype, average patient not having an HRD signature, etc.).Conversely, a relatively poor prognosis in terms of survival wouldinclude a decreased likelihood of survival as compared to some referencepopulation (e.g., average patient with this patient's cancertype/subtype, average patient having an HRD signature, etc.).

As described herein, this document provides methods for assessingpatients for cells (e.g., cancer cells) having an HRD signature. In someembodiments, one or more clinicians or medical professionals candetermine whether a sample from the patient comprises cancer cells (orwhether a sample comprises DNA derived from such cells) having an HRDsignature. In some cases, one or more clinicians or medicalprofessionals can determine if a patient contains cancer cells having anHRD signature by obtaining a cancer cell sample from the patient andassessing the DNA of cancer cells of the cancer cell sample to determinethe presence or absence of an HRD signature as described herein.

In some cases, one or more clinicians or medical professionals canobtain a cancer cell sample from a patient and provide that sample to atesting laboratory having the ability to assess DNA of cancer cells ofthe cancer cell sample to provide an indication about the presence orabsence of an HRD signature as described herein. In some embodiments,the patients are treatment naïve patients. In such cases, the one ormore clinicians or medical professionals can determine if a sample fromthe patient comprises cancer cells (or whether a sample comprises DNAderived from such cells) having an HRD signature by receivinginformation about the presence or absence of an HRD signature asdescribed herein directly or indirectly from the testing laboratory. Forexample, a testing laboratory, after assessing DNA of cancer cells forpresence or absence of an HRD signature as described herein, can providea clinician or medical professional with, or access to, a written,electronic, or oral report or medical record that provides an indicationabout the presence or absence of an HRD signature for a particularpatient (or patient sample) being assessed. Such a written, electronic,or oral report or medical record can allow the one or more clinicians ormedical professionals to determine if a particular patient beingassessed contains cancer cells having an HRD signature.

Once a clinician or medical professional or group of clinicians ormedical professionals determines that a particular patient beingassessed contains cancer cells having an HRD signature, the clinician ormedical professional (or group) can classify that patient as havingcancer cells whose genome contains the presence of an HRD signature. Insome embodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients. In somecases, a clinician or medical professional or group of clinicians ormedical professionals can diagnose a patient determined to have cancercells whose genome contains the presence of an HRD signature as havingcancer cells deficient in (or likely to be deficient in) HDR. Such adiagnosis can be based solely on a determination that a sample from thepatient comprises cancer cells (or whether a sample comprises DNAderived from such cells) having an HRD signature or can be based atleast in part on a determination that a sample from the patientcomprises cancer cells (or whether a sample comprises DNA derived fromsuch cells) having an HRD signature. For example, a patient determinedto have cancer cells having an HRD signature can be diagnosed as likelyto be deficient in HDR based on the combination of the presence of anHRD signature and deficient status in one or more tumor suppressor genes(e.g., BRCA1/2, RAD51C), a family history of cancer, or the presence ofbehavioral risk factors (e.g., smoking).

In some cases, a clinician or medical professional or group ofclinicians or medical professionals can diagnose a patient determined tohave cancer cells whose genome contains the presence of an HRD signatureas having cancer cells likely to contain genetic mutations in one ormore genes in the HDR pathway. In some embodiments, the patients aretreatment naïve patients. Such a diagnosis can be based solely on adetermination that a particular patient being assessed contains cancercells having a genome containing an HRD signature or can be based atleast in part on a determination that a particular patient beingassessed contains cancer cells having a genome containing an HRDsignature. For example, a patient determined to have cancer cells whosegenome contains the presence of an HRD signature can be diagnosed ashaving cancer cells likely to contain genetic mutations in one or moregenes in the HDR pathway based on the combination of the presence of anHRD signature and a family history of cancer, or the presence ofbehavioral risk factors (e.g., smoking).

In some cases, a clinician or medical professional or group ofclinicians or medical professionals can diagnose a patient determined tohave cancer cells having an HRD signature as having cancer cells likelyto respond to a particular cancer treatment regimen. In someembodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients. Such a diagnosiscan be based solely on a determination that a sample from the patientcomprises cancer cells (or whether a sample comprises DNA derived fromsuch cells) having an HRD signature or can be based at least in part ona determination that a sample from the patient comprises cancer cells(or whether a sample comprises DNA derived from such cells) having anHRD signature. For example, a patient determined to have cancer cellshaving an HRD signature can be diagnosed as being likely to respond to aparticular cancer treatment regimen based on the combination of thepresence of an HRD signature and deficient status in one or more tumorsuppressor genes (e.g., BRCA1/2, RAD51), a family history of cancer, orthe presence of behavioral risk factors (e.g., smoking). As describedherein, a patient determined to have cancer cells having an HRDsignature can be diagnosed as likely to respond to a cancer treatmentregimen that includes the use of a platinum-based chemotherapy drug suchas cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, or picoplatin, an anthracyclinesuch as epirubicin or doxorubicin, a topoisomerase I inhibitor such ascampothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, a PARP inhibitor, radiation, acombination thereof, or a combination of any of the preceding withanother anti-cancer agent. In some embodiments, the patients aretreatment naïve patients.

Once a clinician or medical professional or group of clinicians ormedical professionals determines that a sample from the patientcomprises cancer cells (or whether a sample comprises DNA derived fromsuch cells) having a genome lacking an HRD signature, the clinician ormedical professional (or group) can classify that patient as havingcancer cells whose genome lacks an HRD signature. In some embodiments,the patients are treatment naïve patients. In some cases, a clinician ormedical professional or group of clinicians or medical professionals candiagnose a patient determined to have cancer cells containing a genomelacking an HRD signature as having cancer cells likely to havefunctional HDR. In some cases, a clinician or medical professional orgroup of clinicians or medical professionals can diagnose a patientdetermined to have cancer cells containing a genome lacking an HRDsignature as having cancer cells that do not likely contain geneticmutations in one or more genes in the HDR pathway. In some cases, aclinician or medical professional or group of clinicians or medicalprofessionals can diagnose a patient determined to have cancer cellscontaining a genome lacking an HRD signature or containing an increasednumber of CA Regions that cover the whole chromosome as having cancercells that are less likely to respond to a platinum-based chemotherapydrug such as cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin, ananthracycline such as epirubincin or doxorubicin, a topoisomerase Iinhibitor such as campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, a PARPinhibitor, or radiation and/or more likely to respond to a cancertreatment regimen that includes the use of a cancer treatment agent notassociated with HDR such as one or more taxane agents, growth factor orgrowth factor receptor inhibitors, anti-metabolite agents, etc. In someembodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients.

As described herein, this document also provides methods for performinga diagnostic analysis of a nucleic acid sample (e.g., a genomic nucleicacid sample or nucleic acids amplified therefrom) of a cancer patient todetermine if a sample from the patient comprises cancer cells (orwhether a sample comprises DNA derived from such cells) containing anHRD signature and/or an increased number of CA Regions that cover thewhole chromosome. In some embodiments, the patients are treatment naïvepatients. For example, one or more laboratory technicians or laboratoryprofessionals can detect the presence or absence of an HRD signature inthe genome of cancer cells (or DNA derived therefrom) of the patient orthe presence or absence of an increased number of CA Regions that coverthe whole chromosome in the genome of cancer cells of the patient. Insome cases, one or more laboratory technicians or laboratoryprofessionals can detect the presence or absence of an HRD signature orthe presence or absence of an increased number of CA Regions that coverthe whole chromosome in the genome of cancer cells of the patient by (a)receiving a cancer cell sample obtained from the patient, receiving agenomic nucleic acid sample obtained from cancer cells obtained from thepatient, or receiving a sample containing nucleic acids enriched and/oramplified from such a genomic nucleic acid sample obtained from cancercells obtained from the patient and (b) performing an analysis (e.g., aSNP array-based assay or a sequencing-based assay) using the receivedmaterial to detect the presence or absence of an HRD signature or thepresence or absence of an increased number of CA Regions that cover thewhole chromosome as described herein. In some cases, one or morelaboratory technicians or laboratory professionals can receive a sampleto be analyzed (e.g., a cancer cell sample obtained from the patient, agenomic nucleic acid sample obtained from cancer cells obtained from thepatient, or a sample containing nucleic acids enriched and/or amplifiedfrom such a genomic nucleic acid sample obtained from cancer cellsobtained from the patient) directly or indirectly from a clinician ormedical professional. In some embodiments, the patients are treatmentnaïve patients.

Once a laboratory technician or laboratory professional or group oflaboratory technicians or laboratory professionals detects the presenceof an HRD signature as described herein, the laboratory technician orlaboratory professional (or group) can associate that HRD signature orthe result (or results or a summary of results) of the performeddiagnostic analysis with the corresponding patient's name, medicalrecord, symbolic/numerical identifier, or a combination thereof. Suchidentification can be based solely on detecting the presence of an HRDsignature or can be based at least in part on detecting the presence ofan HRD signature. For example, a laboratory technician or laboratoryprofessional can identify a patient having cancer cells that weredetected to have an HRD signature as having cancer cells potentiallydeficient in HDR (or as having an increased likelihood of responding toa particular treatment as described at length herein) based on acombination of the presence of an HRD signature and the results of othergenetic and biochemical tests performed at the testing laboratory. Insome embodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients.

The converse of the preceding is also true. Namely, once a laboratorytechnician or laboratory professional or group of laboratory techniciansor laboratory professionals detects the absence of an HRD signature, thelaboratory technician or laboratory professional (or group) canassociate the absence of an HRD signature or the result (or results or asummary of results) of the performed diagnostic analysis with thecorresponding patient's name, medical record, symbolic/numericalidentifier, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a laboratorytechnician or laboratory professional or group of laboratory techniciansor laboratory professionals can identify a patient having cancer cellsthat were detected to lack an HRD signature as having cancer cells withpotentially intact HDR (or having a decreased likelihood of respondingto a particular treatment as described at length herein) either basedsolely on the absence of an HRD signature or based on a combination ofthe presence of an HRD signature and the results of other genetic andbiochemical tests performed at the testing laboratory. In someembodiments, the patients are treatment naïve patients.

The results of any analyses according to the invention will often becommunicated to physicians, genetic counselors and/or patients (or otherinterested parties such as researchers) in a transmittable form that canbe communicated or transmitted to any of the above parties. Such a formcan vary and can be tangible or intangible. The results can be embodiedin descriptive statements, diagrams, photographs, charts, images or anyother visual forms. For example, graphs or diagrams showing genotype orLOH (or HRD status) information can be used in explaining the results.The statements and visual forms can be recorded on a tangible mediumsuch as papers, computer readable media such as floppy disks, compactdisks, flash memory, etc., or in an intangible medium, e.g., anelectronic medium in the form of email or website on internet orintranet. In addition, results can also be recorded in a sound form andtransmitted through any suitable medium, e.g., analog or digital cablelines, fiber optic cables, etc., via telephone, facsimile, wirelessmobile phone, internet phone and the like.

Thus, the information and data on a test result can be produced anywherein the world and transmitted to a different location. As an illustrativeexample, when an assay is conducted outside the United States, theinformation and data on a test result may be generated, cast in atransmittable form as described above, and then imported into the UnitedStates. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a method forproducing a transmittable form of information on an HRD signature for atleast one patient sample. The method comprises the steps of (1)determining an HRD signature according to methods of the presentinvention; and (2) embodying the result of the determining step in atransmittable form. The transmittable form is a product of such amethod.

Several embodiments of the invention described herein involve a step ofcorrelating the presence of an HRD signature according to the presentinvention (e.g., the total number of Indicator CA Regions or a CA RegionScore or Combined CA Region Score greater than a reference) to aparticular clinical feature (e.g., an increased likelihood of adeficiency in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene; an increased likelihood of HDRdeficiency; an increased likelihood of response to a treatment regimencomprising a DNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase Iinhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARP inhibitor; etc.) and optionallycorrelating the absence of a HRD signature to one or more other clinicalfeatures. Throughout this document, wherever such an embodiment isdescribed, another embodiment of the invention may involve, in additionto or instead of a correlating step, one or both of the following steps:(a) concluding that the patient has the clinical feature based at leastin part on the presence or absence of the HRD signature; or (b)communicating that the patient has the clinical feature based at leastin part on the presence or absence of the HRD signature.

By way of illustration, but not limitation, one embodiment described inthis document is a method of predicting a cancer patient's response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, ananthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARPinhibitor, said method comprising: (1) determining in a sample two ormore of (a) an LOH Region Score for the sample; (b) a TAI Region Scorefor the sample; or (c) an LST Region Score for the sample; and (2)(a)correlating a combination of two or more of the LOH Region Score, theTAI Region Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA RegionScore) exceeding a reference to an increased likelihood of responding tothe treatment regimen; or optionally (2)(b) correlating a combination oftwo or more of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Score and the LSTRegion Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) not exceeding areference to a not increased likelihood of responding to the treatmentregimen; or optionally (2)(c) correlating an average (e.g., arithmeticmean) of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Score, and the LST RegionScore. According to the preceding paragraph, this description of thisembodiment is understood to include a description of two alternativerelated embodiments. One such embodiment provides a method of predictinga cancer patient's response to a cancer treatment regimen comprising aDNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor,radiation, and/or a PARP inhibitor, said method comprising: (1)determining in a sample two or more of (a) an LOH Region Score for thesample; (b) a TAI Region Score for the sample; or (c) an LST RegionScore for the sample; or (d) an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) of theLOH Region Score, the TAI Region Score, and the LST Region Score; and(2)(a) concluding that said patient has an increased likelihood ofresponding to said cancer treatment regimen based at least in part on acombination of two or more of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Scoreand the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score) exceeding areference; or optionally (2)(b) concluding that said patient has a notincreased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment regimenbased at least in part on a combination of two or more of the LOH RegionScore, the TAI Region Score and the LST Region Score (e.g., a CombinedCA Region Score), or an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) of the LOHRegion Score, the TAI Region Score, and the LST Region Score, notexceeding a reference. Another such embodiment provides a method ofpredicting a cancer patient's response to a cancer treatment regimencomprising a DNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase Iinhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARP inhibitor, said method comprising:(1) determining in a sample two or more of (a) an LOH Region Score forthe sample; (b) a TAI Region Score for the sample; or (c) an LST RegionScore for the sample; or (d) an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) of theLOH Region Score, the TAI Region Score, and the LST Region Score; and(2)(a) communicating that said patient has an increased likelihood ofresponding to said cancer treatment regimen based at least in part on acombination of two or more of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Scoreand the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score); or anaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) of the LOH Region Score, the TAI RegionScore, and the LST Region Score, exceeding a reference; or optionally(2)(b) communicating that said patient has a not increased likelihood ofresponding to said cancer treatment regimen based at least in part on acombination of two or more of the LOH Region Score, the TAI Region Scoreand the LST Region Score (e.g., a Combined CA Region Score); or anaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) of the LOH Region Score, the TAI RegionScore, and the LST Region Score, not exceeding a reference.

In each embodiment described in this document involving correlating aparticular assay or analysis output (e.g., total number of Indicator CARegions greater than a reference number, presence of an HRD signatureetc.) to some likelihood (e.g., increased, not increased, decreased,etc.) of some clinical feature (e.g., response to a particulartreatment, cancer-specific death, etc.), or additionally oralternatively concluding or communicating such clinical feature based atleast in part on such particular assay or analysis output, suchcorrelating, concluding or communicating may comprise assigning a riskor likelihood of the clinical feature occurring based at least in parton the particular assay or analysis output. In some embodiments, suchrisk is a percentage probability of the event or outcome occurring. Insome embodiments, the patient is assigned to a risk group (e.g., lowrisk, intermediate risk, high risk, etc.). In some embodiments “lowrisk” is any percentage probability below 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In some embodiments “intermediate risk” is anypercentage probability above 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,or 50% and below 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, or 75%. In some embodiments “high risk” is any percentageprobability above 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%.

As used herein, “communicating” a particular piece of information meansto make such information known to another person or transfer suchinformation to a thing (e.g., a computer). In some methods of theinvention, a patient's prognosis or likelihood of response to aparticular treatment is communicated. In some embodiments, theinformation used to arrive at such a prognosis or response prediction(e.g., HRD signature according to the present invention, etc.) iscommunicated. This communication may be auditory (e.g., verbal), visual(e.g., written), electronic (e.g., data transferred from one computersystem to another), etc. In some embodiments, communicating a cancerclassification (e.g., prognosis, likelihood of response, appropriatetreatment, etc.) comprises generating a report that communicates thecancer classification. In some embodiments the report is a paper report,an auditory report, or an electronic record. In some embodiments thereport is displayed and/or stored on a computing device (e.g., handhelddevice, desktop computer, smart device, website, etc.). In someembodiments the cancer classification is communicated to a physician(e.g., a report communicating the classification is provided to thephysician). In some embodiments the cancer classification iscommunicated to a patient (e.g., a report communicating theclassification is provided to the patient). Communicating a cancerclassification can also be accomplished by transferring information(e.g., data) embodying the classification to a server computer andallowing an intermediary or end-user to access such information (e.g.,by viewing the information as displayed from the server, by downloadingthe information in the form of one or more files transferred from theserver to the intermediary or end-user's device, etc.).

Wherever an embodiment of the invention comprises concluding some fact(e.g., a patient's prognosis or a patient's likelihood of response to aparticular treatment regimen), this may include in some embodiments acomputer program concluding such fact, typically after performing analgorithm that applies information on CA Regions according to thepresent invention.

In each embodiment described herein involving a number of CA Regions(e.g., Indicator CA Regions), or a total combined length of such CARegions, or an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) of the combined CARRegion scores, the present invention encompasses a related embodimentinvolving a test value or score (e.g., CA Region Score, LOH RegionScore, etc.) derived from, incorporating, and/or, at least to somedegree, reflecting such number or length. In other words, the bare CARegion numbers or lengths need not be used in the various methods,systems, etc. of the invention; a test value or score derived from suchnumbers or lengths may be used. For example, one embodiment of theinvention provides a method of treating cancer in a patient, comprising:(1) determining in a sample from said patient two or more of, or anaverage (e.g., arithmetic mean) of, (a) the number of Indicator LOHRegions, (b) the number of Indicator TAI Regions, or (c) the number ofIndicator LST Regions; (2) providing one or more test values derivedfrom said number of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, and/orIndicator LST Regions; (3) comparing said test value(s) to one or morereference values (e.g., reference values derived from the number ofIndicator LOH regions, Indicator TAI Regions, and/or Indicator LSTRegions in a reference population (e.g., mean, median, terciles,quartiles, quintiles, etc.)); and (4)(a) administering to said patientan anti-cancer drug, or recommending or prescribing or initiating atreatment regimen comprising chemotherapy and/or a synthetic lethalityagent based at least in part on said comparing step revealing that oneor more of the test values is greater (e.g., at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-,6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater; at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10 standard deviations greater) than at least one said referencevalue; or optionally (4)(b) recommending or prescribing or initiating atreatment regimen not comprising chemotherapy and/or a syntheticlethality agent based at least in part on said comparing step revealingthat one or more of the test values is not greater (e.g., not more than2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater; not more than 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater) than at leastone said reference value. The invention encompasses, mutatis mutandis,corresponding embodiments where the test value or score is used todetermine the patient's prognosis, the patient's likelihood of responseto a particular treatment regimen, the patient's or patient's sample'slikelihood of having a BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51C or HDR deficiency, etc.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary process by which a computing system (or acomputer program (e.g., software) containing computer-executableinstructions) can identify LOH loci or regions from genotype data asdescribed herein. This process may be adapted to use in determining TAIand LST as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. If the observedratio of the signals of two alleles, A and B, is two to one, there aretwo possibilities. The first possibility is that cancer cells have LOHwith deletion of allele B in a sample with 50% contamination with normalcells. The second possibility is that there is no LOH but allele A isduplicated in a sample with no contamination with normal cells. Theprocess begins at box 1500, where the following data are collected bythe computing system; (1) sample-specific normalized signal intensitiesfor both alleles of each locus and (2) assay-specific (specific fordifferent SNP arrays and for sequence based approach) set of parametersdefined based on analysis of large number of samples with known ASCNprofiles. As described herein, any appropriate assay such as a SNParray-based assay or sequencing-based assay can be used to assess locialong a chromosome for homozygosity or heterozygosity. In some cases, asystem including a signal detector and a computer can be used to collectdata (e.g., fluorescent signals or sequencing results) regarding thehomozygous or heterozygous nature of the plurality of loci (e.g.,sample-specific normalized signal intensities for both alleles of eachlocus). At box 1510, allele specific copy numbers (ASCN) arereconstructed at each locus (e.g., each SNP). ASCNs are the numbers ofcopies of both paternal and maternal alleles. At box 1530, a likelihoodfunction is used to determine whether a homozygous locus or region ofhomozygous loci is due to LOH. This can be conceptually analogous to apreviously described algorithm designed to reconstruct total copy number(rather than ASCN) at each locus (e.g., SNP). See InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2011/026098 to Abkevich et al. The likelihoodfunction can be maximized over ASCN of all loci, level of contaminationwith benign tissue, total copy number averaged over the whole genome,and sample specific noise level. At box 1540, an LOH region isdetermined as a stretch of SNPs with one of the ASCNs (paternal ormaternal) being zero. In some embodiments, the computer process furthercomprises a step of inquiring or determining whether a patient istreatment naïve.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary process by which a computing system candetermine the presence or absence of an LOH signature and is included toillustrate how this process can, as will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, be applied to TAI and LST. The process begins at box 300, wheredata regarding the homozygous or heterozygous nature of a plurality ofloci along a chromosome is collected by the computing system. Asdescribed herein, any appropriate assay such as a SNP array-based assayor sequencing-based assay can be used to assess loci along a chromosomefor homozygosity or heterozygosity. In some cases, a system including asignal detector and a computer can be used to collect data (e.g.,fluorescent signals or sequencing results) regarding the homozygous orheterozygous nature of the plurality of loci. At box 310, data regardingthe homozygous or heterozygous nature of a plurality of loci as well asthe location or spatial relationship of each locus is assessed by thecomputing system to determine the length of any LOH regions presentalong a chromosome. At box 320, data regarding the number of LOH regionsdetected and the length of each detected LOH region is assessed by thecomputing system to determine the number of LOH regions that have alength (a) greater than or equal to a preset number of Mb (e.g., 15 Mb)and (b) less than the entire length of the chromosome containing thatLOH region. Alternatively the computing system can determine the totalor combined LOH length as described above. At box 330, the computingsystem formats an output providing an indication of the presence orabsence of an HRD signature. Once formatted, the computing system canpresent the output to a user (e.g., a laboratory technician, clinician,or medical professional). As described herein, the presence or absenceof an HRD signature can be used to provide an indication about apatient's likely HDR status, an indication about the likely presence orabsence of genetic mutations in genes of the HDR pathway, and/or anindication about possible cancer treatment regimens.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a computer device 1400 and a mobilecomputer device 1450, which may be used with the techniques describedherein. Computing device 1400 is intended to represent various forms ofdigital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personaldigital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and otherappropriate computers. Computing device 1450 is intended to representvarious forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants,cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices.The components shown here, their connections and relationships, andtheir functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant tolimit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

Computing device 1400 includes a processor 1402, memory 1404, a storagedevice 1406, a high-speed interface 1408 connecting to memory 1404 andhigh-speed expansion ports 1410, and a low speed interface 1415connecting to low speed bus 1414 and storage device 1406. Each of thecomponents 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, and 1415, are interconnectedusing various busses, and may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate. The processor 1402 can processinstructions for execution within the computing device 1400, includinginstructions stored in the memory 1404 or on the storage device 1406 todisplay graphical information for a GUI on an external input/outputdevice, such as display 1416 coupled to high speed interface 1408. Inother implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may beused, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory.Also, multiple computing devices 1400 may be connected, with each deviceproviding portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank,a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

The memory 1404 stores information within the computing device 1400. Inone implementation, the memory 1404 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 1404 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 1404 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 1406 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 1400. In one implementation, the storage device 1406may be or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy diskdevice, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, aflash memory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described herein. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 1404, the storage device1406, memory on processor 1402, or a propagated signal.

The high speed controller 1408 manages bandwidth-intensive operationsfor the computing device 1400, while the low speed controller 1415manages lower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation offunctions is exemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speedcontroller 1408 is coupled to memory 1404, display 1416 (e.g., through agraphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports1410, which may accept various expansion cards (not shown). In theimplementation, low-speed controller 1415 is coupled to storage device1406 and low-speed expansion port 1414. The low-speed expansion port,which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth,Ethernet, or wireless Ethernet) may be coupled to one or moreinput/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner,an optical reader, a fluorescent signal detector, or a networking devicesuch as a switch or router, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 1400 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 1420, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 1424. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 1422. Alternatively, components from computing device 1400 maybe combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), suchas device 1450. Each of such devices may contain one or more ofcomputing device 1400, 1450, and an entire system may be made up ofmultiple computing devices 1400, 1450 communicating with each other.

Computing device 1450 includes a processor 1452, memory 1464, aninput/output device such as a display 1454, a communication interface1466, and a transceiver 1468, among other components (e.g., a scanner,an optical reader, a fluorescent signal detector). The device 1450 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 1450,1452, 1464, 1454, 1466, and 1468, are interconnected using variousbuses, and several of the components may be mounted on a commonmotherboard or in other manners as appropriate.

The processor 1452 can execute instructions within the computing device1450, including instructions stored in the memory 1464. The processormay be implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate andmultiple analog and digital processors. The processor may provide, forexample, for coordination of the other components of the device 1450,such as control of user interfaces, applications run by device 1450, andwireless communication by device 1450.

Processor 1452 may communicate with a user through control interface1458 and display interface 1456 coupled to a display 1454. The display1454 may be, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid CrystalDisplay) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or otherappropriate display technology. The display interface 1456 may compriseappropriate circuitry for driving the display 1454 to present graphicaland other information to a user. The control interface 1458 may receivecommands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor1452. In addition, an external interface 1462 may be provide incommunication with processor 1452, so as to enable near areacommunication of device 1450 with other devices. External interface 1462may provide, for example, for wired communication in someimplementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations,and multiple interfaces may also be used.

The memory 1464 stores information within the computing device 1450. Thememory 1464 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 1474 may also be provided andconnected to device 1450 through expansion interface 1472, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 1474 may provide extra storage spacefor device 1450, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 1450. For example, expansion memory 1474 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described herein, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory1474 may be provide as a security module for device 1450, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 1450. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described herein. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 1464, expansionmemory 1474, memory on processor 1452, or a propagated signal that maybe received, for example, over transceiver 1468 or external interface1462.

Device 1450 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface1466, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 1466 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 1468. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 1470 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 1450, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 1450.

Device 1450 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 1460, whichmay receive spoken information from a user and convert it to usabledigital information. Audio codec 1460 may likewise generate audiblesound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset ofdevice 1450. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls,may include recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) andmay also include sound generated by applications operating on device1450.

The computing device 1450 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 1480. It may also be implemented as part of asmartphone 1482, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobiledevice.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described hereincan be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations can include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers toany signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to aprogrammable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed herein can be implemented on a computer having a displaydevice (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display)monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and apointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user canprovide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used toprovide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedbackprovided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visualfeedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from theuser can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactileinput.

The systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usercan interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed herein), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system can be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and theInternet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

In some cases, a computing system provided herein can be configured toinclude one or more sample analyzers. A sample analyzer can beconfigured to produce a plurality of signals about genomic DNA of atleast one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell. For example, asample analyzer can produce signals that are capable of beinginterpreted in a manner that identifies the genotype of loci along achromosome. In some cases, a sample analyzer can be configured to carryout one or more steps of a SNP array-based assay or sequencing-basedassay and can be configured to produce and/or capture signals from suchassays. In some cases, a computing system provided herein can beconfigured to include a computing device. In such cases, the computingdevice can be configured to receive signals from a sample analyzer. Thecomputing device can include computer-executable instructions or acomputer program (e.g., software) containing computer-executableinstructions for carrying out one or more of the methods or stepsdescribed herein. In some cases, such computer-executable instructionscan instruct a computing device to analyze signals from a sampleanalyzer, from another computing device, from a SNP array-based assay,or from a sequencing-based assay. The analysis of such signals can becarried out to determine genotypes, homozygosity or other chromosomalaberration s at certain loci, regions of CA, the number of CA Regions,to determine the size of CA Regions, to determine the number of CARegions having a particular size or range of sizes, to determine whetheror not a sample is positive for an HRD signature, to determine thenumber of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes, to determine a likelihood of a deficiency in BRCA1 and/orBRCA2 genes, to determine a likelihood of a deficiency in HDR, todetermine a likelihood that a cancer patient will respond to aparticular cancer treatment regimen (e.g., a regimen that includes a DNAdamaging agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor,radiation, a PARP inhibitor, or a combination thereof), or to determinea combination of these items.

In some cases, a computing system provided herein can includecomputer-executable instructions or a computer program (e.g., software)containing computer-executable instructions for formatting an outputproviding an indication about the number of CA Regions, the size of CARegions, the number of CA Regions having a particular size or range ofsizes, whether or not a sample is positive for an HRD signature, thenumber of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes, a likelihood of a deficiency in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes,to determine a likelihood of a deficiency in HDR, a likelihood that acancer patient will respond to a particular cancer treatment regimen(e.g., a regimen that includes a DNA damaging agent, an anthracycline, atopoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, a PARP inhibitor, or a combinationthereof), or a combination of these items. In some cases, a computingsystem provided herein can include computer-executable instructions or acomputer program (e.g., software) containing computer-executableinstructions for determining a desired cancer treatment regimen for aparticular patient based at least in part on the presence or absence ofan HRD signature or on the number of Indicator CA Regions.

In some cases, a computing system provided herein can include apre-processing device configured to process a sample (e.g., cancercells) such that a SNP array-based assay or sequencing-based assay canbe performed. Examples of pre-processing devices include, withoutlimitation, devices configured to enrich cell populations for cancercells as opposed to non-cancer cells, devices configured to lyse cellsand/or extract genomic nucleic acid, and devices configured to enrich asample for particular genomic DNA fragments.

This document also provides kits for assessing samples (e.g., cancercells) as described herein. For example, this document provides kits forassessing cancer cells for the presence of an HRD signature or todetermine the number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair ofhuman chromosomes. A kit provided herein can include either SNP probes(e.g., an array of SNP probes for carrying out a SNP array-based assaydescribed herein) or primers (e.g., primers designed for sequencing SNPregions via a sequencing-based assay) in combination with a computerprogram product containing computer-executable instructions for carryingout one or more of the methods or steps described herein (e.g.,computer-executable instructions for determining the number of IndicatorCA Regions). In some cases, a kit provided herein can include at least500, 1000, 10,000, 25,000, or 50,000 SNP probes capable of hybridizingto polymorphic regions of human genomic DNA. In some cases, a kitprovided herein can include at least 500, 1000, 10,000, 25,000, or50,000 primers capable of sequencing polymorphic regions of humangenomic DNA. In some cases, a kit provided herein can include one ormore other ingredients for performing a SNP array-based assay or asequencing-based assay. Examples of such other ingredients include,without limitation, buffers, sequencing nucleotides, enzymes (e.g.,polymerases), etc. This document also provides the use of anyappropriate number of the materials provided herein in the manufactureof a kit for carrying out one or more of the methods or steps describedherein. For example, this document provides the use of a collection ofSNP probes (e.g., a collection of 10,000 to 100,000 SNP probes) and acomputer program product provided herein in the manufacture of a kit forassessing cancer cells for the presence of an HRD signature. As anotherexample, this document provides the use of a collection of primers(e.g., a collection of 10,000 to 100,000 primers for sequencing SNPregions) and a computer program product provided herein in themanufacture of a kit for assessing cancer cells for the presence of anHRD signature.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

As follows are specific embodiments of the present disclosure, that is,exemplary but non-limiting details of methods and systems according tothe more general description above.

In some embodiments, the sample used is a frozen tumor sample. In someembodiments, the sample is from a particular breast cancer subtypechosen from triple negative, ER+/HER2−, ER−/HER2+, or ER+/HER2+. In someembodiments, the laboratory assay portion of the method, system, etc.comprises assaying the sample to sequence the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes(as well as any other gene or genes in Table 1). In some embodiments,the laboratory assay portion of the method, system, etc. comprisesassaying the sample to determine the allele dosage (e.g., genotype, copynumber, etc.) for at least 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100,000 or more selected SNPs across thecomplete genome. In some embodiments the SNP analysis is done using anoligonucleotide microarray as discussed above. In some embodiments theBRCA sequence analysis, the SNP analysis, or both are performed using aprobe capture (e.g., probes to each SNP to be analyzed and/or probes tocapture the entire coding region of BRCA1 and/or BRCA2) with subsequentPCR enrichment technique (e.g., Agilent™ SureSelect XT). In someembodiments the BRCA sequence analysis, the SNP analysis, or both areperformed by processing the output from the enrichment technique using a“next-generation” sequencing platform (e.g., Illumina™ HiSeq2500). Insome embodiments the sample is analyzed for BRCA1/2 somatic and/orgermline mutations, which may include large rearrangements. In someembodiments, the sample is analyzed for BRCA1 promoter methylation(e.g., by a qPCR assay (e.g., SA Biosciences)). In some embodiments, asample is determined to have high methylation (or are “methylated”) ifthe sample has greater than 10% (or 5%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%) methylation (e.g., % of BRCA1 or BRCA2 promoter CpGsmethylated). In some embodiments, DNA from a patient's matched normal(non-tumor) tissue may be analyzed, e.g., to determine whether BRCA1 orBRCA2 mutations are germline or somatic.

In some embodiments, LOH Region Score can be calculated by counting thenumber of LOH regions that are >15 Mb in length, but shorter than thelength of a complete chromosome. In some embodiments, TAI Region Scorecan be calculated by counting the number of telomeric regions >11 Mb inlength with allelic imbalance that extends to one of the subtelomeres,but does not cross the centromere. In some embodiments, LST Region Scorecan be calculated by counting the number of breakpoints between regionslonger than 10 megabases having stable copy number after filtering outregions shorter than 3 megabases. In some embodiments the LST RegionScore can be modified by adjusting it by ploidy: LSTm=LST−kP, where P isploidy and k is a constant (in some embodiments, k=15.5). In someembodiments BRCA1/2 deficiency can be defined as loss of functionresulting from a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, or methylation of the BRCA1 orBRCA2 promoter region, together with LOH in the affected gene. In someembodiments response to treatment can be partial complete response(“pCR”), which in some embodiments can be defined as Miller-Payne 5status following treatment (e.g., neoadjuvant).

In some embodiments, the claimed method predicts BRCA deficiency with ap-value of at least 8*10⁻¹², 6*10⁻⁶, 0.0009, 0.01, 0.03, 2*10⁻¹⁶,3*10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁶, 0.0009, 8*10⁻¹², 2*10⁻¹⁶, 8*10⁻⁸, 6*10⁻⁶, 3*10⁻⁶, or0.0002 (e.g., each CA Region Score is predefined and optionally multiplescores are combined in such a way as to yield these p-values). In someembodiments p-values are calculated according to Kolmogorov-Smirnovtest. In some embodiments HRD scores and age at diagnosis can be codedas a numeric (e.g., integer) variable, breast cancer stage and subtypecan be coded as categorical variables, and grade can be analyzed aseither a numeric or categorical variable, or both.

In some embodiments p-values are two-sided. In some embodiments,logistic regression analysis can be used to predict BRCA1/2 deficiencybased on an HRD score as disclosed herein, including the HRD-combinedscore). In some embodiments, the various CA Region Scores are correlatedaccording to (e.g., defined in order to achieve) the followingcorrelation coefficients: LOH Region Score and TAI Region Score=0.69(p=10⁻³⁹), between LOH and LST=0.55 (p=2*10⁻¹⁹), and between TAI andLST=0.39 (p=10⁻⁹).

In some embodiments the method combines the LOH Region Score and TAIRegion Score as follows to detect BRCA1/2 deficiency and/or predicttherapy response (e.g., platinum therapy response, e.g., cisplatin):Combined CA Region Score=0.32*LOH Region Score+0.68*TAI Region Score. Insome embodiments the method combines the LOH Region Score, TAI RegionScore, and LST Region Score as follows to detect BRCA1/2 deficiencyand/or predict therapy response (e.g., platinum therapy response, e.g.,cisplatin): Combined CA Region Score=0.21*LOH Region Score+0.67*TAIRegion Score+0.12*LST Region Score. In some embodiments the methodcombines the LOH Region Score, TAI Region Score, and LST Region Score asfollows to detect BRCA1/2 deficiency and/or predict therapy response(e.g., platinum therapy response, e.g., cisplatin): Combined CA RegionScore=0.11*LOH Region Score+0.25*TAI Region Score+0.12*LST Region Score.In some embodiments the method combines the LOH Region Score, TAI RegionScore, and LST Region Score as follows to detect BRCA1/2 deficiencyand/or predict therapy response (e.g., platinum therapy response, e.g.,cisplatin): Combined CA Region Score=Arithmetic Mean of LOH RegionScore, TAI Region Score and LST Region Score.

In some embodiments, BRCA deficiency status and HRD status can becombined to predict therapy response. For example, the disclosure caninclude a method of predicting patient (e.g., triple negative breastcancer patient) response to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNAdamaging agent (e.g., platinum agent, e.g., cisplatin), ananthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARPinhibitor, the method comprising:

-   -   determining, in a cancer cell from a patient sample, the number        of Indicator CA Regions (e.g., Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator        TAI Regions, Indicator LST Regions, or any combination thereof)        in at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of        said cancer patient;    -   determining whether a cancer cell from a patient sample is        deficient in BRCA1 or BRCA2 (e.g., deleterious mutation, high        promoter methylation); and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose sample either (a) said number of        Indicator CA Regions is greater than a reference number or (b)        there is a BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency, or both (a) and (b), as        having an increased likelihood of responding to said cancer        treatment regimen.

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. An in vitro method of predicting patient response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor, the method comprising:

-   -   (1) determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, the        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, or        Indicator LST Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes        of a cancer cell of said cancer patient; and    -   (2) diagnosing a patient in whose sample said number of        Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, or Indicator LST        Regions is greater than a reference number as having an        increased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment        regimen.

Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, said at least one pair ofhuman chromosomes is representative of the entire genome.

Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein saidIndicator CA Regions are determined in at least two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 4. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein saidcancer cell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 5. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein thereference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, the reference number ofIndicator TAI Regions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and the reference number of Indicator LSTRegions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 ormore.

Embodiment 6. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-5, wherein saidIndicator LOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength but less than a either a complete chromosome or a completechromosome arm, said Indicator TAI Regions are defined as TAI Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length but not extending across a centromere, and saidIndicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength.

Embodiment 7. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-6, wherein said DNAdamaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin,said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 8. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-7, furthercomprising administering said cancer treatment regimen to said patientdiagnosed as having an increased likelihood of responding to said cancertreatment regimen.

Embodiment 9. An in vitro method of predicting patient response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a platinum agent, the methodcomprising:

-   -   (1) determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, the        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, or        Indicator LST Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes        of a cancer cell of said cancer patient;    -   (2) determining whether a sample comprising a cancer cell is        deficient in BRCA1 or BRCA2; and    -   (3) diagnosing a patient in whose sample either (a) said number        of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, or Indicator        LST Regions is greater than a reference number or (b) there is a        BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency, or both (a) and (b), as having an        increased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment        regimen.

Embodiment 10. The method of Embodiment 9, said at least one pair ofhuman chromosomes is representative of the entire genome.

Embodiment 11. The method of Embodiment 9 or Embodiment 10, wherein saidIndicator CA Regions are determined in at least two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 12. The method of any one of Embodiments 9-11, wherein saidcancer cell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 13. The method of any one of Embodiments 9-12, wherein thereference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, the reference number ofIndicator TAI Regions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and the reference number of Indicator LSTRegions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 ormore.

Embodiment 14. The method of any one of Embodiments 9-13, wherein saidIndicator LOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength but less than a either a complete chromosome or a completechromosome arm, said Indicator TAI Regions are defined as TAI Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length but not extending across a centromere, and saidIndicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength.

Embodiment 15. The method of any one of Embodiments 9-14, wherein saidDNA damaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, orpicoplatin, said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, saidtopoisomerase I inhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, orsaid PARP inhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 16. The method of any one of Embodiments 9-15, wherein saidsample is deficient in BRCA1 or BRCA2 if a deleterious mutation, loss ofheterozygosity or high methylation is detected in either BRCA1 or BRCA2in said sample.

Embodiment 17. The method of Embodiment 16, wherein high methylation isdetected if methylation is detected in at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%,30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% or more of BRCA1 or BRCA2 promoter CpGsanalyzed.

Embodiment 18. An in vitro method of predicting patient response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor, the method comprising:

-   -   (1) determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, the        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions, or        Indicator LST Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes        of a cancer cell of said cancer patient;    -   (2) providing a test value derived from the number of said        Indicator CA Regions;    -   (3) comparing said test value to one or more reference values        derived from the number of said Indicator CA Regions in a        reference population; and    -   (4) diagnosing a patient in whose sample said test value is        greater than said one or more reference numbers as having an        increased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment        regimen.

Embodiment 19. The method of Embodiment 18, said at least one pair ofhuman chromosomes is representative of the entire genome.

Embodiment 20. The method of Embodiment 18 or Embodiment 19, whereinsaid Indicator CA Regions are determined in at least two, three, four,five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20 or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 21. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-20, wherein saidcancer cell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 22. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-21, wherein thereference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, the reference number ofIndicator TAI Regions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and the reference number of Indicator LSTRegions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 ormore.

Embodiment 23. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-22, wherein saidIndicator LOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength but less than a either a complete chromosome or a completechromosome arm, said Indicator TAI Regions are defined as TAI Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length but not extending across a centromere, and saidIndicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength.

Embodiment 24. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-23, wherein saidDNA damaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, orpicoplatin, said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, saidtopoisomerase I inhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, orsaid PARP inhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 25. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-24, furthercomprising diagnosing a patient in whose sample said test value is notgreater than said one or more reference numbers as not having anincreased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment regimen andeither (5)(a) recommending, prescribing, initiating or continuing atreatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor in said patient diagnosedas having an increased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatmentregimen; or (5)(b) recommending, prescribing, initiating or continuing atreatment regimen not comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor in said patient diagnosedas not having an increased likelihood of responding to said cancertreatment regimen.

Embodiment 26. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-25, wherein saidtest value is derived by calculating the arithmetic mean of the numbersof Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions and Indicator LSTRegions in said sample as follows:

${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{TAI}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{3}$

and said one or more reference values were derived by calculating thearithmetic mean of the numbers of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions in samples from said referencepopulation as follows:

${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{TAI}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{3}$

Embodiment 27. The method of any one of Embodiments 18-26, comprisingdiagnosing a patient in whose sample said test value is at least 2-, 3-,4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater, or at least 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, 95% greater than said one or more reference numbers as having anincreased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment regimen.

Embodiment 28. A method of treating cancer patients, comprising:

-   -   (1) determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, the        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising Indicator LOH Regions,        Indicator TAI Regions, and Indicator LST Regions in at least one        pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of said cancer        patient;    -   (2) providing a test value derived from the number of said        Indicator CA Regions;    -   (3) comparing said test value to one or more reference values        derived from the number of said Indicator CA Regions in a        reference population; and either (4)(a) recommending,        prescribing, initiating or continuing a treatment regimen        comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline, topoisomerase I        inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor in a patient in whose sample the        test value is greater than at least one said reference value; or    -   (4)(b) recommending, prescribing, initiating or continuing a        treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent,        anthracycline, topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor in a        patient in whose sample the test value is not greater than at        least one said reference value.

Embodiment 29. The method of Embodiment 28, said at least one pair ofhuman chromosomes is representative of the entire genome.

Embodiment 30. The method of Embodiment 28 or Embodiment 29, whereinsaid Indicator CA Regions are determined in at least two, three, four,five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20 or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 31. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-30, wherein saidcancer cell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 32. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-31, wherein thereference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, the reference number ofIndicator TAI Regions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and the reference number of Indicator LSTRegions is two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 ormore.

Embodiment 33. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-32, wherein saidIndicator LOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength but less than a either a complete chromosome or a completechromosome arm, said Indicator TAI Regions are defined as TAI Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length but not extending across a centromere, and saidIndicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases inlength.

Embodiment 34. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-33, wherein saidDNA damaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, orpicoplatin, said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, saidtopoisomerase I inhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, orsaid PARP inhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 35. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-34, wherein saidtest value is derived by calculating the arithmetic mean of the numbersof Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions and Indicator LSTRegions in said sample as follows:

${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{TAI}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{3}$

and said one or more reference values were derived by calculating thearithmetic mean of the numbers of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions in samples from said referencepopulation as follows:

${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{TAI}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{3}$

Embodiment 36. The method of any one of Embodiments 28-35, comprisingdiagnosing a patient in whose sample said test value is at least 2-, 3-,4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-fold greater, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater, or at least 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, 95% greater than said one or more reference numbers as having anincreased likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment regimen.

Embodiment 37. A method for assessing HRD in a cancer cell or genomicDNA thereof, wherein said method comprises:

-   -   (a) detecting, in a cancer cell or genomic DNA derived        therefrom, Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human        chromosomes of said cancer cell, wherein said at least one pair        of human chromosomes is not a human X/Y sex chromosome pair; and    -   (b) determining the total number of Indicator CA Regions in said        at least one pair of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 38. A method of predicting the status of BRCA1 and BRCA2genes in a cancer cell, comprising: determining, in the cancer cell, thetotal number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of humanchromosomes of said cancer cell; and diagnosing a patient in whosecancer cell said total number that is greater than a reference number ashaving an increased likelihood of a deficiency in the BRCA1 or BRCA2gene.

Embodiment 39. A method of predicting the status of HDR in a cancercell, comprising:

-   -   determining, in the cancer cell, the total number of Indicator        CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of said        cancer cell; and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose cancer cell said total number that        is greater than a reference number as having an increased        likelihood of a deficiency in HDR.

Embodiment 40. A method of predicting a cancer patient's response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, ananthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARPinhibitor, said method comprising:

-   -   determining, in a cancer cell from said cancer patient, the        number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human        chromosomes of a cancer cell of said cancer patient; and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose cancer cell said total number that        is greater than a reference number as having an increased        likelihood of responding to said cancer treatment regimen.

Embodiment 41. A method of predicting a cancer patient's response to atreatment regimen, comprising:

-   -   determining, in a cancer cell from said cancer patient, the        total number of Indicator CA Regions in at least one pair of        human chromosomes of a cancer cell of said cancer patient; and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose cancer cell said total number that        is greater than a reference number as having an increased        likelihood of not responding to a treatment regimen including        paclitaxel or docetaxel.

Embodiment 42. A method of treating cancer, comprising:

-   -   (a) determining, in a cancer cell from a cancer patient or        genomic DNA obtained therefrom, the total number of Indicator CA        Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of the cancer        cell; and    -   (b) administering to said cancer patient a cancer treatment        regimen comprising one or more drugs chosen from the group        consisting of DNA damaging agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase        I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors, if said total number of        Indicator CA Regions is greater than a reference number.

Embodiment 43. Use of one or more drugs chosen from the group consistingof DNA damaging agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, andPARP inhibitors, for the manufacturing of a medicament useful fortreating a cancer in a patient identified as having a cancer celldetermined to have a total of 5 or more Indicator CA Regions.

Embodiment 44. A system for determining LOH status of a cancer cell of acancer patient, comprising:

-   -   (a) a sample analyzer configured to produce a plurality of        signals about genomic DNA of at least one pair of human        chromosomes of said cancer cell, and    -   (b) a computer sub-system programmed to calculate, based on said        plurality of signals, the number of Indicator CA Regions in said        at least one pair of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 45. The system of Embodiment 8, wherein said computersub-system is programmed to compare said number of Indicator CA Regionsto a reference number to determine

-   -   (a) a likelihood of a deficiency in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes in        said cancer cell,    -   (b) a likelihood of a deficiency in HDR in said cancer cell, or    -   (c) a likelihood that said cancer patient will respond to cancer        treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, an        anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, or a PARP        inhibitor.

Embodiment 46. A computer program product embodied in a computerreadable medium that, when executing on a computer, performs stepscomprising:

-   -   detecting the presence or absence of any Indicator CA Region        along one or more of human chromosomes; and    -   determining the total number of said Indicator CA Region in said        one or more chromosome pairs.

Embodiment 47. A diagnostic kit comprising:

-   -   at least 500 oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to a        plurality of polymorphic regions of human genomic DNA; and    -   the computer program product of Embodiment 10.

Embodiment 48. Use of a plurality of oligonucleotides capable ofhybridizing to a plurality of polymorphic regions of human genomic DNA,for the manufacturing of a diagnostic kit useful for determining thetotal number of Indicator CA Regions in at least a chromosome pair of ahuman cancer cell obtained from a cancer patient, and for detecting:

-   -   (a) an increased likelihood of a deficiency in the BRCA1 or        BRCA2 gene in said cancer cell,    -   (b) an increased likelihood of a deficiency in HDR in said        cancer cell, or    -   (c) an increased likelihood that said cancer patient will        respond to cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging        agent, an anthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation,        or a PARP inhibitor.

Embodiment 49. The method of any one of Embodiments 37-42, wherein saidIndicator CA Regions are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regionsand Indicator LST Regions and, optionally, are determined in at leasttwo, five, ten or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

50. The method of any one of Embodiments 36-42, wherein said cancer cellis an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 51. The method of any one of Embodiments 36-42, wherein thetotal number of are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions orIndicator LST Regions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 52. The method of any one of Embodiments 36-42, wherein anIndicator LOH Region, Indicator TAI Region or Indicator LST Region isdefined as having a length of about 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 53. The method of any one of Embodiments 36-42, wherein saidreference number is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 or greater.

Embodiment 54. The use of Embodiment 43 or 48, wherein said Indicator CARegions are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions and IndicatorLST Regions and, optionally, are determined in at least two, five, tenor 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 55. The use of Embodiment 43 or 48, wherein said cancer cellis an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 56. The use of Embodiment 43 or 48, wherein the total numberof are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LSTRegions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 57. The use of Embodiment 43 or 48, wherein an Indicator LOHRegion, Indicator TAI Region or Indicator LST Region is defined ashaving a length of about 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 58. The system of Embodiment 44 or 45, wherein said IndicatorCA Regions are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions andIndicator LST Regions and, optionally, are determined in at least two,five, ten or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 59. The system of Embodiment 44 or 45, wherein said cancercell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 60. The system of Embodiment 44 or 45, wherein the totalnumber of are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or IndicatorLST Regions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 61. The system of Embodiment 44 or 45, wherein an IndicatorLOH Region, Indicator TAI Region or Indicator LST Region is defined ashaving a length of about 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 62. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, whereinsaid Indicator CA Regions are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions and, optionally, are determined in atleast two, five, ten or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 63. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, whereinsaid cancer cell is an ovarian, breast, or esophageal cancer cell.

Embodiment 64. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, whereinthe total number of are Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions orIndicator LST Regions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 65. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, wherein anIndicator LOH Region, Indicator TAI Region or Indicator LST Region isdefined as having a length of about 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 66. The method of any one of Embodiments 36-42, wherein saidat least one pair of human chromosomes is not human chromosome 17.

Embodiment 67. The use of Embodiment 43 or 48, wherein said Indicator CARegions are not in human chromosome 17.

Embodiment 68. The system of Embodiment 44 or 45, wherein said IndicatorCA Regions are not in human chromosome 17.

Embodiment 69. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, whereinsaid Indicator CA Regions are not in human chromosome 17.

Embodiment 70. The method of Embodiment 40 or 42, wherein said DNAdamaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin,said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 71. The use of Embodiment 48, wherein said DNA damaging agentis a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, said anthracycline is epirubincinor doxorubicin, said topoisomerase I inhibitor is campothecin,topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARP inhibitor is iniparib, olaparibor velapirib.

Embodiment 72. The system of Embodiment 45, wherein said DNA damagingagent is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, said anthracycline isepirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase I inhibitor iscampothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARP inhibitor isiniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 73. The computer program product of Embodiment 46, whereinsaid DNA damaging agent is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, saidanthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 74. A method comprising:

-   -   (a) detecting, in a cancer cell or genomic DNA derived        therefrom, Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or        Indicator LST Regions in a representative number of pairs of        human chromosomes of the cancer cell; and    -   (b) determining the number and size of said Indicator CA        Regions.

Embodiment 75. The method of Embodiment 74, said representative numberof pairs of human chromosomes is representative of the entire genome.

Embodiment 76. The method of Embodiment 74, further comprisingcorrelating an increased number of Indicator CA Regions of a particularsize to an increased likelihood of deficiency in HDR.

Embodiment 77. The method of Embodiment 76, wherein said particular sizeis longer than about 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, or 100 megabasesand less than the length of the entire chromosome that contains theIndicator CA Region.

Embodiment 78. The method of either of Embodiments 76 or 77, wherein 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 or more Indicator CA Regions of saidparticular size are correlated to an increased likelihood of deficiencyin HDR.

Embodiment 79. A method of determining cancer patient prognosiscomprising:

-   -   (a) determining whether a sample comprising cancer cells has an        HRD signature, wherein the presence of more than a reference        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or        Indicator LST Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes        of a cancer cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer        cells have the HRD signature, and    -   (b)(1) diagnosing a patient in whose sample an HRD signature is        detected as having a relatively good prognosis, or    -   (b)(2) diagnosing a patient in whose sample an HRD signature is        not detected as having a relatively poor prognosis

80. A composition comprising a therapeutic agent selected from the groupconsisting of DNA damaging agent, anthracycline, topoisomerase Iinhibitor, and PARP inhibitor for use in treating disease a cancerselected from the group consisting of breast cancer, ovarian cancer,liver cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer,prostate cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectal cancer, andpancreatic cancer in a patient with more than a reference number ofIndicator CA Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of acancer cell of the patient.

Embodiment 81. The composition of Embodiment 80, wherein said IndicatorCA Regions are determined in at least two, five, ten or 21 pairs ofhuman chromosomes.

Embodiment 82. The composition of Embodiment 80, wherein the totalnumber of said Indicator CA Regions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 83. The composition of Embodiment 80, wherein said firstlength is about 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 84. The composition of Embodiment 80, wherein said referencenumber is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 or greater.

Embodiment 85. A method of treating cancer in a patient, comprising:

-   -   determining in a sample from said patient the number of        Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types chosen from        Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST        Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer        cell of the cancer patient indicates that the cancer cells have        the HRD signature;    -   providing a test value derived from the number of said Indicator        CA Regions;    -   comparing said test value to one or more reference values        derived from the number of said Indicator CA Regions in a        reference population (e.g., mean, median, terciles, quartiles,        quintiles, etc.); and    -   administering to said patient an anti-cancer drug, or        recommending or prescribing or initiating a treatment regimen        comprising chemotherapy and/or a synthetic lethality agent based        at least in part on said comparing step revealing that the test        value is greater (e.g., at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-,        or 10-fold greater; at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10        standard deviations greater) than at least one said reference        value; or    -   recommending or prescribing or initiating a treatment regimen        not comprising chemotherapy and/or a synthetic lethality agent        based at least in part on said comparing step revealing that the        test value is not greater (e.g., not more than 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-,        6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-fold greater; not more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,        6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater) than at least one        said reference value.

Embodiment 86. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said Indicator CARegions are determined in at least two, five, ten or 21 pairs of humanchromosomes.

Embodiment 87. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein the total number ofsaid Indicator CA Regions is 9, 15, 20 or more.

Embodiment 88. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said first length isabout 6, 12, or 15 or more megabases.

Embodiment 89. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said referencenumber is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 or greater.

Embodiment 90. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said chemotherapy isselected from the group consisting of a DNA damaging agent, ananthracycline, and a topoisomerase I inhibitor and/or wherein saidsynthetic lethality agent is a PARP inhibitor drug.

Embodiment 91. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said DNA damagingagent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin, saidanthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, and/or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 92. A method for assessing HRD in a cancer cell or genomicDNA thereof, wherein said method comprises:

-   -   (a) detecting, in a cancer cell or genomic DNA derived        therefrom, Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types        chosen from Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or        Indicator LST Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes        of said cancer cell, wherein said at least one pair of human        chromosomes is not a human X/Y sex chromosome pair; and    -   (b) determining an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the        total number of Indicator CA Regions by calculating the average        of the numbers of Indicator CA Regions of each type detected in        said at least one pair of human chromosomes (e.g., if 16        Indicator LOH Regions and 18 Indicator LST Regions, then        arithmetic mean is calculated to be 17).

Embodiment 93. A method of predicting the status of BRCA1 and BRCA2genes in a cancer cell, comprising:

-   -   determining, in the cancer cell, an average (e.g., arithmetic        mean) across the total number of each type of Indicator CA        Regions comprising at least two types chosen from Indicator LOH        Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST Regions in at        least one pair of human chromosomes of said cancer cell; and    -   correlating said average (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the        total number that is greater than a reference number with an        increased likelihood of a deficiency in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

Embodiment 94. A method of predicting the status of HDR in a cancercell, comprising:

-   -   determining, in the cancer cell, an average (e.g., arithmetic        mean) across the total number of each type of Indicator CA        Regions comprising at least two types chosen from Indicator LOH        Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST Regions in at        least one pair of human chromosomes of said cancer cell; and    -   correlating said average (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the        total number that is greater than a reference number with an        increased likelihood of a deficiency in HDR.

Embodiment 95. A method of predicting cancer patient response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, ananthracycline, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, radiation, and/or a PARPinhibitor, said method comprising:

-   -   determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, an average        (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the total number of each type of        Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types chosen from        Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST        Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of said sample        (e.g., if 16 Indicator LOH Regions and 18 Indicator LST Regions,        then arithmetic mean is determined to be 17); and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose sample said average (e.g.,        arithmetic mean) across the total number is greater than a        reference number as having an increased likelihood of responding        to said cancer treatment regimen.

Embodiment 96. A method of predicting cancer patient response to atreatment regimen, comprising:

-   -   determining, in a patient sample comprising a cancer cell, an        average (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the total number of        Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types chosen from        Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST        Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of said        patient sample; and    -   diagnosing a patient in whose sample said average (e.g.,        arithmetic mean) across the total number is greater than a        reference number as having an increased likelihood of not        responding to a treatment regimen including paclitaxel or        docetaxel.

Embodiment 97. A method of treating cancer, comprising:

-   -   (a) determining, in a patient sample comprising a cancer cell or        genomic DNA obtained therefrom, an average (e.g., arithmetic        mean) across the total number of each type of Indicator CA        Regions comprising at least two types chosen from Indicator LOH        Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST Regions in at        least one pair of human chromosomes of the cancer cell; and    -   (b) administering to a patient in whose sample said total number        of Indicator CA Regions is greater than a reference number a        cancer treatment regimen comprising one or more drugs chosen        from the group consisting of DNA damaging agents,        anthracyclines, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors.

Embodiment 98. The method of Embodiment 95 or 97, wherein said DNAdamaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin,said anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 99. A composition comprising a therapeutic agent selectedfrom the group consisting of DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, and PARP inhibitor for use in treatingdisease a cancer selected from the group consisting of breast cancer,ovarian cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, head andneck cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectalcancer, and pancreatic cancer in a patient with more than a referencenumber of an average (e.g., arithmetic mean) across the types ofIndicator CA Regions comprising at least two types chosen from IndicatorLOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST Regions in at leastone pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the patient.

Embodiment 100. A method of treating cancer in a patient, comprising:

-   -   determining in a sample from said patient an average (e.g.,        arithmetic mean) of the total number of Indicator CA Regions in        at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of the        cancer patient indicates that the cancer cells have the HRD        signature;    -   providing a test value derived from the average (e.g.,        arithmetic mean) across the numbers of each type of said        Indicator CA Regions comprising at least two types chosen from        Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAI Regions or Indicator LST        Regions;    -   comparing said test value to one or more reference values        derived from the number of said average (e.g., arithmetic mean)        across the types of Indicator CA Regions in a reference        population (e.g., mean, median, terciles, quartiles, quintiles,        etc.); and    -   administering to said patient an anti-cancer drug, or        recommending or prescribing or initiating a treatment regimen        comprising chemotherapy and/or a synthetic lethality agent based        at least in part on said comparing step revealing that the test        value is greater (e.g., at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-,        or 10-fold greater; at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10        standard deviations greater) than at least one said reference        value; or    -   recommending or prescribing or initiating a treatment regimen        not comprising chemotherapy and/or a synthetic lethality agent        based at least in part on said comparing step revealing that the        test value is not greater (e.g., not more than 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-,        6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-fold greater; not more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,        6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standard deviations greater) than at least one        said reference value.

Embodiment 101. The method of Embodiment 100, wherein said average(e.g., arithmetic mean) across the types of Indicator CA Regions aredetermined in at least two, five, ten or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.

Embodiment 102. The method of Embodiment 100, wherein said chemotherapyis selected from the group consisting of a DNA damaging agent, ananthracycline, and a topoisomerase I inhibitor and/or wherein saidsynthetic lethality agent is a PARP inhibitor drug.

Embodiment 103. The method of Embodiment 100, wherein said DNA damagingagent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin, saidanthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, said topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, and/or said PARPinhibitor is iniparib, olaparib or velapirib.

Embodiment 104. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 105. The method of Embodiment 104, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 106. The method of Embodiment 9, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 107. The method of Embodiment 106, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 108. The method of Embodiment 18, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 109. The method of Embodiment 108, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 110. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 111. The method of Embodiment 37, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 112. The method of Embodiment 111, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 113. The method of Embodiment 38, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 114. The method of Embodiment 113, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 115. The method of Embodiment 39, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 116. The method of Embodiment 115, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 117. The method of Embodiment 40, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 118. The method of Embodiment 117, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 119. The method of Embodiment 41, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 120. The method of Embodiment 119, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 121. The method of Embodiment 42, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 122. The method of Embodiment 121, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 123. The method of Embodiment 79, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 124. The method of Embodiment 123, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 125. The method of Embodiment 85, wherein said Indicator CARegions are the combination of Indicator LOH Regions, Indicator TAIRegions and Indicator LST Regions.

Embodiment 126. The method of Embodiment 125, wherein said referencenumber is 42.

Embodiment 127. An in vitro method of predicting patient response to acancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline,topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor, the method comprising:

-   -   (1) determining, in a sample comprising a cancer cell, the        number of Indicator CA Regions comprising Indicator LOH Regions,        Indicator TAI Regions, and Indicator LST Regions in at least one        pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell of said cancer        patient;    -   (2) combining said Indicator CA Regions to provide a test value        as follows: Test Value=(number of Indicator LOH Regions)+(number        of Indicator TAI Regions)+(number of Indicator LST Regions); and    -   (3) providing a reference value for comparison against said test        value.

Embodiment 128. The method of Embodiment 127, wherein said referencevalue represents the 5^(th) percentile of Indicator CA Region scores ina training cohort of HDR deficient patients.

Embodiment 129. The method of Embodiment 127 or Embodiment 128, whereinsaid reference value is 42.

Embodiment 130. The method of any one of Embodiments 127 to 129, furthercomprising comparing said test value to said reference value.

Embodiment 131. The method of any one of Embodiments 127 to 130, furthercomprising diagnosing a patient in whose sample said test value isgreater than said reference value as having an increased likelihood ofresponding to said cancer treatment regimen.

Embodiment 132. The method of any one of Embodiments 127 to 131, whereinsaid determining step comprises assaying said sample to measure the copynumber of each allele for at least 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450,500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500,4,000, 4,500, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000,13,000, 14,000, 15,000, 16,000, 17,000, 18,000, 19,000, 20,000, 25,000,30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 80,000, 90,000,100,000, 125,000, 150,000, 175,000, 200,000, 250,000, 300,000, 400,000,500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, 1,000,000 or morepolymorphic genomic loci in at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, atleast 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, or atleast 22 autosome pairs.

Embodiment 133. The method of Embodiment 132, wherein said determiningstep comprises assaying said polymorphic genomic loci in at least 10autosome pairs.

Embodiment 134. The method of Embodiment 133, wherein said polymorphicgenomic loci in 22 autosome pairs.

Embodiment 135. The method of any one of Embodiments 132 to 134, whereinsaid determining step comprises assaying said sample to measure the copynumber of each allele for at least 5,000 polymorphic genomic loci insaid autosome pairs.

Embodiment 136. The method of Embodiment 135, wherein said determiningstep comprises assaying said sample to measure the copy number of eachallele for at least 10,000 polymorphic genomic loci in said autosomepairs.

Embodiment 137. The method of Embodiment 136, wherein said determiningstep comprises assaying said sample to measure the copy number of eachallele for at least 50,000 polymorphic genomic loci in said autosomepairs.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, whichdo not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1—LOH and TAI Region Scores Across Breast CancerSubtypes and Association with BRCA1/2 Deficiency

An LOH signature based on whole genome tumor LOH profiles has beendeveloped that is highly correlated with defects in BRCA1/2 and otherHDR pathway genes in ovarian cancer (Abkevich, et al., Patterns ofGenomic Loss of Heterozygosity Predict Homologous Recombination RepairDefects, BR. J. CANCER (2012)), and which predicts response toDNA-damaging agent (e.g., platinum-based neoadjuvant) therapy in breastcancer (Telli et al., Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) scorepredicts response following neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy intriple-negative and BRCA1/2 mutation-associated breast cancer (BC),CANCER RES. (2012)). A second score based on TAI score also shows strongcorrelation with BRCA1/2 defects and predicts response to platinumtreatment in triple negative breast cancer (Birkbak et al., Telomericallelic imbalance indicates defective DNA repair and sensitivity toDNA-damaging agents, CANCER DISCOV. (2012)). This study examined thefrequency of BRCA1/2 defects and elevated LOH or TAI Region Score acrossbreast cancer subtypes as defined by ER/PR/HER2 status.

Frozen tumors were purchased from 3 commercial tissue biobanks.Approximately 50 randomly ascertained tumors from each of 4 breastcancer subtypes (triple negative, ER+/HER2−, ER−/HER2+, ER+/HER2+) wereselected for analysis. A targeted custom hybridization panel wasdeveloped targeting BRCA1, BRCA2, and 50,000 selected SNPs across thecomplete genome. This panel, in combination with sequencing on theIllumina HiSeq2500, was used to analyze the tumors for BRCA1/2 somaticand germline mutations, including large rearrangements, and SNP alleledosages. BRCA1 promoter methylation was determined by a qPCR assay (SABiosciences). When available, DNA from normal tissue was used todetermine whether deleterious mutations were germline or somatic.

SNP data was analyzed using an algorithm that determines the most likelyallele specific copy number at each SNP location. The LOH Region Scorewas calculated by counting the number of LOH regions that are >15 Mb inlength, but shorter than the length of a complete chromosome. The TAIRegion Score was calculated by counting the number of telomeric regionswith allelic imbalance that are >11 Mb in length, but do not cross thecentromere. Samples with low quality SNP data and/or with highcontamination with normal DNA were excluded. 191 out of 213 samplesyielded robust scores.

TABLE 2 BRCA1/2 deficiency in breast cancer IHC subtypes. BRCA1 BRCA2Muta- Muta- Total BRCA1 Promoter Subtype n tions tions Mutants (%)Methylation (%) Triple Negative 61 10 3 10 (16.4) 12 (19.7) ER+/HER2− 512 2 4 (7.8) 1 (1.9) ER−/HER2+ 38 3 1 4 (10.5) 0 ER+/HER2+ 63 8 1 7(11.1) 1 (1.6)

TABLE 3 Mutation screening was performed on matched normal tissue from17 of the BRCA1/2 mutants. 13 of the 17 individuals (76.5%) had agermline mutation. Subtype Tumor Mutation Profile n Germline SomaticTriple Negative 1 BRCA1 mutation 3 2 1 1 BRCA2 mutation 1 1 0 2 BRCA1mutations 1 1 1 1 BRCA1 mutation & 2 1 1 (BRCA2) 2 BRCA2 mutationsER+/HER2− 1 BRCA1 mutation 1 1 0 1 BRCA2 mutation 2 2 0 ER−/HER2+ 1BRCA1 mutation 2 1 1 ER+/HER2+ 1 BRCA1 mutation 3 1 2 2 BRCA1 mutations 2* 2 2 1 BRCA2 mutation 1 1 0 *Each individual had 1 germline and 1somatic mutation in BRCA1.

TABLE 4 Association between LOH or TAI score and BRCA1/2 deficiency MeanLOH Score Mean TAI Score n (BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2Subtype Deficient) Intact Deficient p value Intact Deficient p value All191 (38) 8.1 16.5 8*10⁻¹² 5.7 13.9 2*10⁻¹⁶ Triple Negative 53 (22) 8.318.1 6*10⁻⁶  6.7 13.2 3*10⁻⁶  ER+/HER2+ 56 (8) 7.4 13.6 0.0009 5 15.610⁻⁶ ER+/HER2− 47 (5) 7.7 15 0.01 5 16 0.0009 ER−/HER2+ 34 (3) 9.5 15.30.03 6.6 11.3 NS

FIG. 5 shows LOH and TAI Region Scores across breast cancer IHCsubtypes. 5A: LOH score; 5B: TAI score. Blue bars: BRCA1/2 deficientsamples. Red bars: BRCA1/2 intact samples. FIG. 6 shows the correlationbetween LOH and TAI Region Scores (Correlation coefficient=0.69). Xaxis: LOH score; Y axis: TAI score; red dots: intact samples; blue dots:BRCA1/2 deficient samples. The area under the dots is proportional tothe number of samples with that combination of LOH and TAI scores(p=10⁻³⁹).

Logistic regression analysis was used to predict BRCA1/2 deficiencybased on LOH and TAI scores. Both scores were significant in amultivariate analysis (Chi Square for LOH is 10.8, and for TAI is 44.7;p=0.001 and 2.3*10⁻¹¹). The best model for differentiation betweenBRCA1/2 deficient and intact samples is 0.32*LOH Region Score+0.68*TAIRegion Score (p=9*10⁻¹⁸).

Conclusions: Elevated LOH and TAI Region Scores are each highlyassociated with BRCA1/2 deficiency in all subtypes of breast cancer; LOHand TAI Region Scores are highly significantly correlated; a Combined CARegion Score (i.e., combining LOH and TAI) shows the optimal correlationwith BRCA1/2 deficiency in this dataset. The combination of LOH-HRD andTAI-HRD scores can, based on the present disclosure, predict response toDNA-damaging and other agents (e.g., platinum therapy) in triplenegative breast cancer, and enable expansion of platinum use to otherbreast cancer subtypes.

Example 2—LOH, TAI, and LST Region Scores Across Breast Cancer Subtypesand Association with BRCA1/2 Deficiency

SNP allele frequency ratios were obtained and were used to calculateLOH, TAI and LST Region Scores as described in Example 1. LST score wasdefined as the number of breakpoints between regions longer than 10megabases having stable copy number after filtering out regions shorterthan 3 megabases. We observed that LST score increased with ploidy bothwithin intact and deficient samples. Instead of using ploidy-specificcutoffs in this Example 2, therefore, we modified LST Region Score byadjusting it by ploidy: LSTm=LST−kP, where P is ploidy and k is aconstant. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis withdeficiency as an outcome and LST and P as predictors, k=15.5.

191 of 214 samples gave scores that passed the QC criteria used. 38 ofthese samples were BRCA1/2 deficient. The corresponding p-valuesaccording to Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for LOH Region Score is 8*10⁻¹²,for TAI Region Score is 2*10⁻¹⁶, and for LST Region Score is 8*10⁻⁸.53/191 samples were triple negative breast cancer, including 22 thatwere BRCA1/2 deficient. Corresponding p-values were 6*10⁻⁶, 3*10⁻⁶, and0.0002 for LOH, TAI, and LST Region Scores respectively. When the sameanalysis is performed for each individual breast cancer subtypesignificant p-values are also seen for all subtypes with at least one ofthe scores (Table 5). The distribution of scores is shown for BRCA1/2deficient vs. BRCA1/2 intact samples in FIG. 7A-C.

The scores were next analyzed to determine whether they were correlated(FIG. 2D-F). The correlation coefficient between LOH Region Score andTAI Region Score was 0.69 (p=10⁻³⁹), between LOH and LST was 0.55(p=2*10⁻¹⁹), and between TAI and LST was 0.39 (p=10⁻⁹).

Logistic regression analysis was used to predict BRCA1/2 deficiencybased on LOH, TAI, and LST Region Scores. All three scores weresignificant in a multivariate analysis (Chi Square for LOH is 5.1(p=0.02), for TAI is 44.7 (p=2*10⁻¹¹), and for LST is 5.4 (p=0.02)). Thebest model for differentiation between BRCA1/2 deficient and intactsamples in this dataset was 0.21*LOH+0.67*TAI+0.12*LST (p=10⁻¹⁸). ThisExample 2 extends the conclusions from Example 1 (i.e., a modelcombining LOH and TAI Region Scores) to a model combining LOH, TAI, andLST Region Scores.

Other clinical data that were available for many of the samples includedstage, grade, and age of diagnosis. Stage information was available for64/191 samples. The correlation coefficient between stage and LOH RegionScore (0.07) and TAI Region Score (0.1) were not significant. Gradeinformation was available for 164/191 samples. The correlationcoefficient between grade and LOH Region Score (0.33) and TAI RegionScore (0.23) are significant (p=2*10⁻⁵ and 0.004 respectively). Age ofdiagnosis was known for 184/191 samples. The correlation coefficientbetween age and LOH Region Score (−0.13) was not significant. Thecorrelation coefficient between age and TAI Region Score (−0.25) wassignificant (p=0.0009).

TABLE 5 Mean Score Mean Score LOH Region n (BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2Score Subtype Deficient) Intact Deficient p value All 191 (38) 8.1 16.5 8*10⁻¹² Triple Negative 53 (22) 8.3 18.1 6*10⁻⁶ ER+/HER2− 47 (5) 7.7 150.01 ER−/HER2+ 34 (3) 9.5 15.3 0.03 ER+/HER2+ 56 (8) 7.4 13.6 9*10⁻⁴ TAIRegion Score All 191 (38) 5.7 13.9  2*10⁻¹⁶ Triple Negative 53 (22) 6.713.2 3*10⁻⁶ ER+/HER2− 47 (5) 5 16 9*10⁻⁴ ER−/HER2+ 34 (3) 6.6 11.3 NSER+/HER2+ 56 (8) 5 15.6 10⁻⁶ LST Region Score All 191 (38) 9.01 −1.38*10⁻⁸ Triple Negative 53 (22) 10.14 −1.41  0.0002 ER+/HER2− 47 (5) 7.311.54 NS ER−/HER2+ 34 (3) 9.18 −2.19 0.02 ER+/HER2+ 56 (8) 7.31 1.54 NS

Example 3—Arithmetic Mean of LOH, TAI, and LST Region Scores AcrossBreast Cancer Subtypes and Association with BRCA1/2 Deficiency

The following study shows how HRD scores as described herein can predictBRCA1/2 deficiency and the efficacy of agents targeting HR deficiency intriple negative breast cancer (TNBC). To investigate the rate of BRCA1/2deficiency across breast cancer subtypes, breast tumor samples wereassayed for BRCA1/2 mutations and promoter methylation. The three HRDscores as described in Example 2 were determined for the samples, andthe association with BRCA1/2 deficiency was then examined using anarithmetic mean of the LOH/TAI/LST scores. Analysis of a neoadjuvantTNBC cohort treated with cisplatin was further examined relative to therelationship between all three HRD scores and response.

Invasive breast tumor samples and matched normal tissue were obtainedfrom three commercial vendors. The samples were selected to giveapproximately equal numbers of all subtypes of breast cancer as definedby IHC analysis of ER, PR, and HER2. BRCA1 promoter methylation analysiswas performed by qPCR. BRCA1/2 mutation screening and genome wide SNPprofiles were generated using a custom Agilent SureSelect XT capturefollowed by sequencing on Illumina HiSeq2500. These data were used tocalculate HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST scores.

SNP microarray data and clinical data were downloaded from a publicrepository for the cisplatin-1 and cisplatin-2 trial cohorts. BRCA1/2mutation data was not available for one of these cohorts. All three HRDscores were calculated using publically available data, and analyzed forassociation with response to cisplatin. The two cohorts were combined toimprove power.

To calculate HRD scores the SNP data was analyzed using an algorithmthat determines the most likely allele specific copy number at each SNPlocation. HRD-LOH was calculated by counting the number of LOHregions >15 Mb in length, but shorter than the length of a completechromosome. HRD-TAI score was calculated by counting the number ofregions >11 Mb in length with allelic imbalance that extend to one ofthe subtelomeres, but do not cross the centromere. HRD-LST score was thenumber of break points between regions longer than 10 Mb after filteringout regions shorter than 3 Mb.

The combined score was the arithmetic mean of the LOH/TAI/LST scores.All p values were from logistic regression models with BRCA deficiencyor response to cisplatin as the dependent variable.

Table 6 shows BRCA1/2 mutation and BRCA1 promoter methylation frequencyacross four breast cancer subtypes. BRCA1/2 variant analysis wassuccessful on 100% of samples, while large rearrangement analysis wasless robust with 198/214 samples producing data that passed QC metrics.Deleterious mutations were observed in 24/214 individuals (one had asomatic mutation in BRCA1 and a germline mutation in BRCA2). Matchednormal DNA was available for 23/24 mutants, and was used to determinewhether the identified mutation was germline or somatic. BRCA1 promotermethylation analysis was successful on 100% of samples. FIG. 9illustrates HRD scores in BRCA1/2 deficient samples.

TABLE 6 BRCA1 Total Germline Promoter BRCA1 BRCA2 Mutants MutationsMethylation Subtype n Mutations Mutations (%) (%) (%) TNBC 63 10  3 10(15.9) 69 13 (20.6) ER+/HER2− 50 2  2 4 (8.0) 100 1 (2.0) ER−/HER2+ 383† 1 4† (10.5) 50 0 ER+/HER2+ 63 8* 1 7* (11.1) 57 1 (1.6) *Includes oneindividual who still retains intact functional copies of BRCA1.†Includes one individual whose functional status for BRCA1 could not bedetermined.

Table 7 shows the association between the three HRD scores and BRCA 1/2deficiency in the all-corners breast cohort. The combined score was thearithmetic mean of the three HRD scores.

TABLE 7 Breast Cancer Subtype All TNBC ER+/HER− ER−/HER2+ ER+/HER2+Number of 197 52 50 35 60 Individuals Number of 38 (100) 23 (61) 5 (13)3 (8) 7 (18) BRCA1/2 Deficient (%) HRD-LOH BRCA1/2 7.2 8.2 7.1 8.3 6.0mean Intact BRCA1/2 16.5 17.7 17.2 12.0 14.1 Deficient p value 1.3 ×10⁻¹⁷ 1.5 × 10⁻⁸  0.0025 0.18 2.1 × 10⁻⁵ HRD-TAI BRCA1/2 5.4 6.8 4.3 6.45.1 mean Intact BRCA1/2 13.7 13.5 15.0 7.7 15.9 Deficient p value 1.5 ×10⁻¹⁹ 2.2 × 10⁻⁷  1.3 × 10⁻⁵ 0.58 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ HRD-LST BRCA1/2 −7.0 −5.1−6.7 −6.7 −8.3 mean Intact BRCA1/2 10.2 12.0 11.7 2.7 6.1 Deficient pvalue 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁸ 8.0 × 10⁻¹¹ 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ 0.082 0.0024 HRD BRCA1/2 1.93.3 1.6 2.7 0.9 combined Intact mean BRCA1/2 13.4 14.4 14.6 7.5 12.0Deficient p value 1.1 × 10⁻²⁴ 7.8 × 10⁻¹³ 2.3 × 10⁻⁵ 0.072 2.1 × 10⁻⁵

Table 8 shows the association between HRD scores and pCR (Miller-Payne5) in TNBC treated with cisplatin in a neoadjuvant setting. Data wasavailable from samples from the Cisplatin-1 (Silver et al., Efficacy ofneoadjuvant Cisplatin in triple-negative breast cancer. J. CLIN. ONCOL.28:1145-53 (2010)) and Cisplatin-2 (Birkbak et al., (2012)) trials. pCRwas defined as those patients with Miller-Payne 5 status followingneoadjuvant treatment. HRD-combined was the arithmetic mean of the threeHRD scores.

TABLE 8 pCR Non-pCR OR (95% CI) for Score Mean Mean 75^(th)-25^(th)percentiles P value HRD-LOH 20.6 13.4 7.4 (1.5, 35.6) 0.0035 HRD-TAI15.8 10.7 6.5 (1.3, 32.6) 0.0067 HRD-LST 13.4 1.4 14.7 (2.1, 102)0.00065 HRD-combined 16.6 8.5 22.4 (2.1, 239) 0.00029

Conclusions: BRCA1/2 deficiency and elevated HRD scores were observed inall breast subtypes, and the HRD score detected BRCA1/2 deficiency. Allthree HRD scores predicted/detected response to cisplatin treatment inTNBC. The average of the three HRD scores (arithmetic mean) detectedBRCA1/2 status in a breast all-comers cohort and cisplatin response in asecond independent TNBC cohort. The arithmetic mean HRD-combined was astronger predictor/detector of BRCA1/2 deficiency or therapy responsethan the individual HRD scores.

Example 4—Multivariate Analysis of BRCA1/2 Status and DNA-Based Assaysfor Homologous Recombination Deficiency

The previous Examples described DNA-based scores measuring homologousrecombination deficiency (HRD), which demonstrates that each score issignificantly associated with BRCA1/2 deficiency, as is an HRD-combinedscore defined as an arithmetic mean of three different HRD scores. ThisExample extends the results of the previous examples by examining (1)associations between each of the three scores and the HRD-combinedscore, (2) associations of clinical variables with the HRD-combinedscore, and (3) associations of clinical variables and the HRD-combinedscore with BRCA1/2 deficiency.

Methods: The analyses in this Example 4 include the same 197 patientsamples described in previous Examples. Briefly, 215 breast tumorsamples were purchased as fresh frozen specimens from 3 commercialvendors. Samples were selected to give approximately equalrepresentation of breast cancer subtypes according to IHC analysis ofER, PR, and HER2. 198 samples produced reliable HRD scores according toa Kolmogorov-Smirnov quality metric. One patient with a passing HRDscore was removed from analysis due to unusual breast cancer subtype(ER/PR+ HER2−). Patient tumor and clinical characteristics are detailedin Table 9.

Patient clinical data were provided for 91 variables, but data for mostvariables were too sparse to be included in analysis. Breast cancersubtype (TNBC, ER+/HER2−, ER−/HER2+, ER+/HER2+) was available for allpatients. The other variables considered were age at diagnosis (providedfor 196/197 patients), stage (provided for 191/197 patients), and grade(provided for 190/197 patients).

TABLE 9 All Triple ER+/ ER−/ ER+/ BRCA1/2 BRCA1/2 Patients negativeHER2− HER2+ HER2+ Mutant Deficient (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Total 19752 50 35 60 24 38 Patients (100) (26.4) (25.4) (17.8) (30.5) (12.2)(19.2) Age of Diagnosis Range 28-90 29-90 33-80 29-76 28-79 33-79 29-76Median 56 54 62 55 54.5 55.5 49 % < 60 57 61 46 60 62   62.5 70 Stage I13 7 2 1 3 2 3 (6.6) (13.5) (4) (2.9) (5) (8.3) (7.9) II 121 28 31 25 3717 23 (61.4) (53.8) (62) (71.4) (61.7) (70.8) (60.5) III 54 9 17 8 20 59 (27.4) (17.3) (34) (22.9) (33.3) (20.8) (23.7) IV 3 3 0 0 0 0 1 (1.5)(5.8) (0) (0) (0) (0) (2.6) unknown 6 5 0 1 0 0 2 (3) (9.6) (0) (2.9)(0) (0) (5.3) Grade 1 17 4 8 0 5 0 0 (8.6) (7.7) (16) (0) (8.3) (0) (0)2 102 17 30 13 42 10 14 (51.8) (32.7) (60) (37.1) (70) (41.7) (36.8) 371 26 10 22 13 13 21 (36) (50) (20) (62.9) (21.7) (54.2) (55.3) unknown7 5 2 0 0 1 3 (3.6) (9.6) (4) (0) (0) (4.2) (7.9)

BRCA1/2 mutation screening and genome wide SNP profiles were generatedusing a custom Agilent SureSelect XT capture followed by sequencing onIllumina HiSeq2500. Methylation of the BRCA-1 promoter region wasdetermined by qPCR. Samples with greater than 10% methylation wereclassified as methylated.

HRD scores were calculated from whole genome tumor loss ofheterozygosity (LOH) profiles (HRD-LOH), telomeric allelic imbalance(HRD-TAI), and large-scale state transitions (HRD-LST), the three HRDscores combined in the “HRD-combined score” discussed in this Example 4.

BRCA1/2 deficiency was defined as loss of function resulting from aBRCA-1 or BRCA-2 mutation, or methylation of the BRCA-1 promoter region,together with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the affected gene.

All statistical analyses were conducted using R version 3.0.2. Allreported p-values are two-sided. The statistical tools employed includedSpearman rank-sum correlation, Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis ofvariance, and logistic regression.

For logistic regression modeling, HRD scores and age at diagnosis werecoded as numeric variable. Breast cancer stage and subtype were coded ascategorical variables. Grade was analyzed as both a numeric andcategorical variable, but was categorical unless otherwise noted. Codinggrade as numerical is not appropriate unless the increased odds ofBRCA1/2 deficiency is the same when comparing grade 2 to grade 1patients, as when comparing grade 3 to grade 2 patients.

P-values reported for univariate logistic regression models are based onthe partial likelihood ratio. Multivariate p-values are based on thepartial likelihood ratio for change in deviance from a full model (whichincludes all relevant predictor) versus a reduced model (which includesall predictors except for the predictor being evaluated, and anyinteraction terms involving the predictor being evaluated). Odds ratiosfor HRD scores are reported per interquartile range.

Results: Pairwise correlations of the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LSTscores were examined graphically (FIG. 1 ), and quantified with Spearmanrank-sum correlation. Spearman rank-sum correlation was preferred to themore commonly used Pearson product-moment correlation, because rightskew and outliers were observed in the HRD score distributions. Allpairwise comparisons of scores showed positive correlation significantlydifferent from zero (p<10⁻¹⁶).

The extent of independent BRCA1/2 deficiency information captured byeach of the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST scores was measured byexamining a multivariate logistic regression model with all three scoresincluded as predictors of BRCA1/2 deficiency status (Table 10). TheHRD-TAI score captured significant BRCA1/2 deficiency informationindependent of that provided by the other two scores (p=0.00016), as didthe HRD-LST score (p=0.00014). At the 5% significance level, the HRD-LOHscore did not add significant independent BRCA1/2 deficiency information(p=0.069).

TABLE 10 OR (95% CI) for P-Value 75^(th)-25^(th) percentiles HRD-LOH0.069 3.0 (0.89, 9.8) HRD-TAI 0.00016 5.8 (2.1, 16) HRD-LST 0.00014 7.4(2.4, 23)

Table 10 illustrates results from a 3-term multivariate logisticregression model with HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST as predictors ofBRCA1/2 deficiency.

To assess whether the HRD-combined score adequately captured the BRCA1/2deficiency information of its three components, we tested threebivariate logistic regression models. Each model included theHRD-combined score, and one of the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, or HRD-LST scores.None of the component scores added significantly to the HRD-combinedscore at the 5% significance level (HRD-LOH p=0.89, HRD-TAI p=0.090,HRD-LST p=0.28). This suggests that the HRD-combined score adequatelycaptures the BRCA1/2 deficiency information of the HRD-LOH, HRD TAI, andHRD-LST scores.

The HRD-combined score was finally compared to a model-based combinedscore which was optimized to predict BRCA1/2 deficiency in this patientset. While the HRD-combined score weights each of the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI,and HRD-LST scores equally, the model-based score assigns the HRD-TAIscore approximately twice the weight of the HRD-LOH or HRD-LST scores.The formula for the model-based score is given by

HRD-Model=0.11×(HRD-LOH)+0.25×(HRD-TAI)+0.12×(HRD-LST).

Results from univariate analysis (Table 11), show that the HRD-Modelscore outperforms the HRD-combined score by approximately one order ofmagnitude (HRD Model p=2.5×10⁻², HRD-Combined p=1.1×10⁻²⁴).

TABLE 11 P-Value OR (95% CI) HRD-LOH 1.30 × 10 ⁻¹⁷ 22 (8.4, 58) HRD-TAI1.50 × 10 ⁻¹⁹ 17 (7.2, 41) HRD-LST 3.50 × 10⁻¹⁸ 19 (7.7, 46)HRD-Combined 1.10 × 10⁻²⁴ 90 (22, 360) HRD-Model 2.50 × 10⁻²⁵ 76 (19,290) Age at Diagnosis 0.0071 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) Stage 0.88  I 1 II 0.78(0.20, 3.1) III 0.67 (0.15, 2.9) IV 1.7 (0.11, 25) Cancer Subtype 1.20 ×10⁻⁰⁵ ER−/HER2+ 1 ER+/HER2− 1.2 (0.34, 5.8) ER+/HER2+ 8.5 (2.3, 31) TNBC8.5 (2.3, 31) Grade (Categorical) 0.0011 NA Grade (Numerical)  0.000533.1 (1.6, 6.3)

Table 11 shows results from univariate logistic regression. Odds ratiosfor HRD scores are reported per IQR of the score. The odds ratio for ageis reported per year. The odds ratio for grade (numerical) is per unit.

In a bivariate logistic regression model, the HRD-Model score did notadd significant independent BRCA1/2 deficiency information to theHRD-combined score (p=0.089). This further suggests that theHRD-combined score adequately capture the BRCA1/2 deficiency informationof the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST scores.

Associations of clinical variables with the HRD-combined score are shownin FIG. 12 . The HRD-combined score was significantly correlated withtumor grade (Spearman correlation 0.23, p=0.0017). Correlations withbreast cancer stage and age at diagnosis were not significantlydifferent from zero at the 5% level. Mean HRD combined scores differedsignificantly among breast cancer subtypes (p=1.6×10⁻⁵) according to aKruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance test.

Heterogeneity of the HRD-combined score among clinical sub-populationswas tested by examining the significance of interaction terms inmultivariate logistic regression models. For each clinical variable, weadded a term for interaction with the HRD-combined score to a modelincluding all clinical variable, and the HRD-combined score. None of theinteraction terms reached significance at the 5% significance level.Thus, there is no evidence to suggest that the probability of BRCA1/2deficiency conferred by the HRD-combined score varies among clinicalsub-populations.

Analogous tests for each of the HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI, and HRD-LST scoresindicated significant interaction of the HRD-TAI score with age(p=0.0072) and grade (p=0.015), and significant interaction of theHRD-LST score with breast cancer subtype (p=0.021). Adjusted formultiple comparisons, only the interaction of the HRD-TAI score with agemaintained significance at the 5% level (p=0.029). Significance of thisinteraction suggests that the increased probability of BRCA1/2deficiency per unit increase of the HRD-TAI score diminishes as ageincreases.

Associations of clinical variables with BRCA1/2 deficiency are displayedin FIG. 13 . Clinical variables and the HRD-Combined score wereevaluated with univariate (Table 11) and multivariate (Table 12)logistic regression models. Odds ratios for HRD scores are reported perIQR. Odds ratios for age at diagnosis are reported per annum.

TABLE 12 P-Value OR (95% CI) HRD-Combined 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁶ 87 (17, 450) Ageat Diagnosis 0.027 0.95 (0.91, 1.0) Stage 0.63 I 1 II 2.4 (0.22, 27) III0.99 (0.073, 13) IV 3.1 (0.0011, 9100) Grade 0.40 NA Type 0.087ER−/HER2+ 1 ER+/Her2− 0.39 (0.039, 3.8) ER+/Her2+ 1.3 (0.16, 10) TNBC3.9 (0.62, 24)

Table 12 shows results from multivariate logistic regression. Oddsratios for HRD scores are reported per IQR of the score. The odds ratiofor age is reported per year.

In univariate analysis, each of the HRD scores (HRD-LOH, HRD-TAI,HRD-LST, HRD-Combined, and HRD-Model) was significantly associated withBRCA1/2 deficiency. Higher scores indicated greater likelihood ofdeficiency. Increased age at diagnosis was significantly associated withdecreased risk of BRCA1/2 deficiency (p=0.0071). Univariate results forbreast cancer subtype, and tumor grade (both categorical and numeric),were also statistically significant. Cancer stage was not associatedwith BRCA1/2 status.

In multivariate analyses, a model based on the HRD-combined score, andall available clinical variables, was examined. The HRD-combined scorecaptured significant BRCA1/2 deficiency information that was notcaptured by clinical variables (p=1.2×10⁻¹⁶). Of the available clinicalvariables, only age at diagnosis maintained significance in themultivariate setting (p=0.027). Grade was coded as a categoricalvariable, and was not statistically significant (p=0.40). Grade was alsonot significant when coded as a numerical variable (p=0.28). Quadraticand cubic effects for the HRD-combined score were tested in multivariatemodels including all clinical variables, but were not statisticallysignificant.

Discussion. In this Example 4 the frequency of BRCA1/2 defects rangedfrom ^(˜)9 to ^(˜)16% across 4 subtypes of breast cancer as defined byIHC subtyping. Sequencing of matched tumor and normal DNA samplessuggests that approximately 75% of the observed mutations were germlinein origin. The primary method for loss of the second allele in breastcancer is via LOH, however ^(˜)24% of tumors also carried subsequentsomatic deleterious mutations in the second allele. In addition, anapparently sporadic breast tumor was seen in one individual carrying aBRCA2 somatic deleterious mutation.

All 3 HRD scores showed strong correlation with BRCA1/2 deficiencyregardless of subtype, and the frequency of elevated scores suggeststhat a significant proportion of all breast tumor subtypes carry defectsin the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway. These findings,especially when combined with those of Example 3 above, show that agentswhich target or exploit DNA damage repair (e.g., platinum agents) mayprove effective across a subset of tumors (those with homologousrecombination deficiency as detected according to the presentdisclosure) from all subtypes of breast cancer.

Implementation of these HRD scores, either singly or in combination, inthe clinical setting is best using an assay that is compatible with coreneedle biopsies that have been formalin fixed and paraffin embedded(“FFPE”). Samples of this type yield very low quantity and low qualityDNA. DNA extracted from these FFPE treated samples often does notperform well in SNP microarray analysis.

Liquid hybridization based target enrichment technologies have beendeveloped for production of libraries for next generation sequencing.These methodologies enable targeted sequencing of regions of interestafter reduction in genomic complexity, resulting in decreased sequencingcosts. Preliminary tests indicated that the available assays arecompatible with DNA derived from FFPE DNA. In this Example 4 we reportthe development of a capture panel which targets ^(˜)54,000 SNPsdistributed across the genome. Allele counts from the sequencinginformation that this panel provides can be used for copy number and LOHreconstruction, and the calculation of all 3 of the HRD scores. Inaddition, BRCA1 and BRCA2 capture probes may be included on the panel,as in this Example 4, which enable high quality mutation screening fordeleterious variants in these genes in the same assay.

All 3 scores were significantly correlated with one another, suggestingthat they all measure the same core genomic phenomenon. However,logistic regression analysis indicates that the scores could be combinedresulting in stronger association with BRCA1/2 deficiency in thisdataset.

The combination of a robust score capable of identifying tumors withdefects in homologous recombination DNA repair and an assay compatiblewith formalin fixed paraffin embedded clinical pathological specimensfacilitates the diagnostic identification and classification of patientswith a high likelihood of response to agents targeting double strand DNAdamage repair. In addition, such agents may have utility across allsubtypes of breast cancer in which HRD is detected according to thepresent disclosure.

Example 5—High HRD Threshold Value (e.g., One Example of an HRDSignature)

This example demonstrates determination of high HRD. A thresholdreference value was selected to have a high sensitivity for detectingHRD in breast and ovarian tumors that was nonspecific to treatmentresponse or outcome. The total number of LOH, TAI, and LST Regions weredetermined. To calculate HRD scores, SNP data was analyzed using analgorithm that determines the most likely allele specific copy number ateach SNP location. HRD-LOH was calculated by counting the number of LOHregions >15 Mb in length, but shorter than the length of a completechromosome. HRD-TAI score was calculated by counting the number ofregions >11 Mb in length with allelic imbalance that extend to one ofthe subtelomeres, but do not cross the centromere. HRD-LST score was thenumber of break points between regions longer than 10 Mb after filteringout regions shorter than 3 Mb. The combined score (HRD score) was thesummation of the LOH/TAI/LST scores.

The training set was assembled from 4 different cohorts (497 breast and561 ovarian cases). The set consisted of 78 breast and 190 ovariantumors that were lacking a functional copy of BRCA1 or BRCA2, becausethe distribution of HRD scores in BRCA-deficient samples represents thedistribution of scores in HRD samples in general. The threshold was setat the 5^(th) percentile of the HRD scores in the training set, andgives >95% sensitivity to detect HR deficiency. High HRD (or an HRDsignature) was defined as having a reference score 42 (FIG. 14 ).

Example 6—HRD Predicts Cisplatin Response in Triple Negative BreastCancer

This example demonstrates how HRD scores as described herein can predictthe efficacy of agents targeting HR deficiency in triple negative breastcancer (TNBC) samples. Analysis of a neoadjuvant TNBC cohort treatedwith cisplatin was examined relative to the relationship between allthree HRD scores and response. All p values were from logisticregression models with response to cisplatin as the dependent variable.

HR Deficiency status was determined for 62 of the 70 samples (70individual patients) received from a cisplatin cohort (8 hadinsufficient tumors for analysis). Of these, 31 (50%) were HR deficient,22 (35%) were non-HR deficient, and 9 (15%) were undetermined. FIG. 15provides a histogram showing the distribution of HRD scores in thecohort. Scores 42 were considered to have high HRD (see also, Example5). The bimodality illustrated in FIG. 15 indicates that HRD scoreseffectively distinguished HR deficient and non-deficient states in thetumor. Pathologic complete response (pCR), which is associated withlong-term survival, was defined as a residual cancer burden (RBC) of 0and observed in 11/59 (19%) samples. Pathologic response (PR) wasdefined as an RBC of 0 or 1 and was observed in 22/59 (37%) samples.These overall response rates correlated with monotherapy expectations.

Statistical analyses followed a predefined Statistical Analysis Plan(SAP), which included primary, secondary, and BRCA wild-type subsetanalyses.

The primary analysis used HR Deficiency status to predict response in 50samples. As shown in Table 13, HR deficient samples provided a betterpredictor of response for both PR and pCR. For example, 52% of HRdeficient samples had a pathologic response as opposed to 9.5% ofnon-deficient samples having a pathologic response. Similarly, 28% of HRdeficient samples had a pathologic complete response as opposed to 0% ofnon-deficient samples having a pathologic complete response.

TABLE 13 Primary analysis using HR Deficiency to predict response Oddsratio (95% CI) Non- Logistic Reference:Non- Logistic Responder Deficientdeficient method deficient p-value PR = no 14 19 PR = yes 15 (52%) 2(9.5%) Standard 10.18 (2.00, 0.0011 maximum 51.89) likelihood pCR = no21 21 pCR = yes  8 (28%) 0 (0%)   Firth's 17.00 (1.91, 0.0066 penalized2249) likelihood

The secondary analysis used a quantitative HRD score as described inExample 5, to predict response in 48 samples. As shown in Table 14, HRDscores were significantly higher in samples from responders thannon-responders, defined either as PR or pCR.

TABLE 14 Secondary analysis using quantitative HRD scores to predictresponse Mean (standard Odds ratio per Logistic Responder N deviation)IQR (37.5) (95% CI) p-value PR = no 33 39.8 (20.8) PR = yes 15 62.9(16.1) 10.5 (2.3, 48.6) 3.1 × 10⁻⁴ pCR = no 41 42.6 (20.3) pCR = yes 773.3 (11.4) 117 (2.9, 4764) 7.0 × 10⁻⁵

The distribution of HRD scores within each class of response for thesecondary analysis as defined by BRCA mutation status is illustrated inFIG. 16 , where the dotted line at 42 represents the HRD thresholdbetween low and high scores. The response curve, or the probability ofPR associated with each value of the quantitative HRD score for thesecondary analysis is illustrated in FIG. 17 . The curve shown in FIG.17 was modeled by generalized logistic regression, which estimates 4parameters: shape, scale, and the lower and upper limits of the curve.The shaded boxes indicate the probability of response in HR Deficient vsNon-Deficient samples. Table 15 shows that in the secondary analysis HRstatus remained significantly associated with pathologic response.

TABLE 15 Multivariable model of pathologic response Number of Odds ratioLogistic Variable Levels Patients (%) (95% CI) p-value HR statusNon-deficient 21 (42%) Reference 0.0017 Deficient 29 (58%) 12.08 (1.96,74.4) Treatment Cisplatin 18 (36%) Reference 0.27 Cisplatin + 32 (64%)2.23 (0.52, 9.64) Bevacizumab Tumor size * cm Mean = 3.7, IQR = (2.7,4.0) 1.40 (0.84, 2.35) 0.19 Baseline Negative 27 (54%) Reference 0.24nodal status Positive 23 (46%) 2.29 (0.56, 9.33) Age at diagnosis Mean =49.8, IQR = (43.0, 56.8) 0.97 (0.90, 1.05) 0.49 * (yrs) * Odds ratio perIQR

Individual HRD components scores vs pathologic response are shown inTable 16 and illustrated in FIG. 18 . Table 16 shows that each componentscore, i.e., LOH, TAI, and LST, was predictive of response, and theirsum, i.e., the HRD score, was equally or more significant than any ofthe individual components (HRD p-value=3.1×10-4). FIG. 18 illustratesstrong pairwise correlations between the component scores.

TABLE 16 Quantitative HRD component scores vs PR Re- Compo- Mean Inter-Odds ratio sponder nent (Standard quartile per IQR Logistic PR Scoredeviation) Range (IQR) (95% CI) p-value No LOH 10.9 (6.0) 8.0 Yes 15.7(4.6) 3.6 (1.3, 9.9) 0.0072 No TAI  9.7 (6.0) 10.0 Yes 15.3 (4.2) 6.2(1.7, 23.0) 0.0019 No LST 19.3 (9.9) 16.8 Yes 32.0 (9.9) 8.5 (2.2, 33.2)1.4 × 10⁻⁴

Further tested in the secondary analysis was association of BRCA1/2mutation status with response. Table 17 confirmed that BRCA mutationstatus was associated with response; however, the association was notsignificant in this cohort (n=51) and BRCA mutation status was not aspredictive as HR Deficiency.

TABLE 17 Secondary analysis using BRCA mutation status to predictresponse Odds ratio Mutant Non-mutant (95% CI) Number NumberReference:Non- Logistic Responder (% response) (% response) deficientp-value PR = no 4 29 PR = yes 5 (55.6%) 13 (31.0%) 2.79 (0.64, 12.11)0.17 pCR = no 6 37 pCR = yes 3 (33.3%)  5 (11.9%) 3.70 (0.70, 19.7) 0.14

A subset analysis using HR Deficiency status in 38 BRCA wild-typesamples was further conducted to demonstrate that HR Deficiency ispredictive in samples with no BRCA1/2 mutations. As shown in Table 18,HR deficient samples provided a better predictor of response for both PRand pCR in BRCA wild-type samples. For example, 52.6% of HR deficientsamples had a pathologic response as opposed to 10.5% of non-deficientsamples having a pathologic response. Similarly, 26.3% of HR deficientsamples had a pathologic complete response as opposed to 0% ofnon-deficient samples having a pathologic complete response.

TABLE 18 Subset analysis using HR Deficiency to predict response in BRCAwild-type samples Odds ratio Deficient Non-deficient (95% CI) NumberNumber Logistic Reference:Non- Responder (% response) (% response)method deficient p-value PR = no  9 17 PR = yes 10 (52.6%) 2 (10.5%)Standard 9.44 (1.69, 52.7) 0.0039 maximum likelihood pCR = no 14 19 pCR= yes  5 (26.3%) 0 (0%)   Firth's 14.79 (1.48, 2001) 0.018 penalizedlikelihood

A subset analysis was further conducted using the quantitative HRD scorein 38 BRCA wild-type samples. As shown in Table 19, samples having highHRD (with scores 42) provided a better predictor of response for both PRand pCR in BRCA wild-type samples.

TABLE 19 Subset analysis using quantitative HRD scores to predictresponse in BRCA wild-type samples Mean Odds ratio (Standard per IQRLogistic Responder N deviation) (36.0) (95% CI) p-value PR = no 26 38.1(20.6) PR = yes 12 61.1 (16.5) 8.74 (1.83, 41.7)  0.0014 pCR = no 3341.3 (20.4) pCR = yes 5 71.8 (12.3) 45.5 (1.47, 1406) 0.0012

In conclusion, this example demonstrates that the summation of all threeHRD scores significantly predicted response to cisplatin treatment inTNBC.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Otheraspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1-36. (canceled)
 37. An in vitro method of identifying patientresponders to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a DNA damagingagent, anthracycline, topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARP (poly ADPribose polymerase) inhibitor, comprising: (1) assaying a samplecomprising a cancer cell to detect the number of Indicator CA(chromosomal aberration) Regions comprising Indicator LOH (loss ofheterozygosity) Regions, and Indicator LST (large scale transition)Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of a cancer cell ofsaid cancer patient (1)(i) wherein an Indicator LOH Region is a regionof loss of heterozygosity equal to or longer than a first length butshorter than the length of the whole chromosome containing the IndicatorLOH Region, and wherein the first length is at least 1.5 megabases;(1)(ii) wherein the number of Indicator LST regions comprises the numberof copy number transitions along the length of a chromosome locatedbetween two regions, each longer than a third length that is at least 5megabases, after filtering out copy number transitions along the lengthof a chromosome located between two regions, each shorter than a fourthlength that is at most 4 megabases; and (2) identifying a patient inwhose sample said number of Indicator LOH Regions, and Indicator LSTRegions detected in step (1) is greater than one or more referencenumbers as a responder to said cancer treatment regimen.
 38. The methodof claim 37, wherein the Indicator CA Regions are determined in at leasttwo, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.
 39. The methodof claim 37, wherein the cancer cell is an ovarian cancer cell, a breastcancer cell, or esophageal cancer cell.
 40. The method of claim 37,wherein the one or more reference numbers in step (2) are one referencenumber each for Indicator LOH Regions, and Indicator LST Regions,wherein the reference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and whereinthe reference number of Indicator LST Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 or more.
 41. The method of claim37, wherein the one or more reference numbers in step (2) is onereference number for the sum of the number of Indicator LOH Regions, andIndicator LST Regions.
 42. The method of claim 37, wherein the IndicatorLOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases in length butless than a either a complete chromosome or a complete chromosome arm,and wherein the Indicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length.
 43. The method of claim 37, wherein the DNAdamaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin,the anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, the topoisomerase Iinhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, or the PARPinhibitor is olaparib, or velapirib, and wherein the method furthercomprises administering the cancer treatment regimen to the patientidentified as having an increased likelihood of responding to the cancertreatment regimen.
 44. An in vitro method of identifying patientresponders to a cancer treatment regimen comprising a platinum agent,comprising: (1) assaying a sample comprising a cancer cell to detect thenumber of Indicator CA (chromosomal aberration) Regions comprisingIndicator LOH (loss of heterozygosity) Regions, and Indicator LST (largescale transition) Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of acancer cell of said cancer patient, (1)(i) wherein an Indicator LOHRegion is a region of loss of heterozygosity equal to or longer than afirst length but shorter than the length of the whole chromosomecontaining the Indicator LOH Region, and wherein the first length is atleast 1.5 megabases; (1)(ii) wherein the number of Indicator LST regionscomprises the number of copy number transitions along the length of achromosome located between two regions, each longer than a third lengththat is at least 5 megabases, after filtering out copy numbertransitions along the length of a chromosome located between tworegions, each shorter than a fourth length that is at most 4 megabases;(2) assaying a sample comprising a cancer cell to detect deficiency inBRCA1 or BRCA2; and (3) identifying a patient in whose sample either (a)said number of Indicator LOH Regions, and Indicator LST Regions detectedin step (1) is greater than one or more reference numbers or (b) a BRCA1or BRCA2 deficiency is detected in step (2), or both (a) and (b), as aresponder to said cancer treatment regimen.
 45. The method of claim 44,wherein the Indicator CA Regions are determined in at least two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20 or 21 pairs of human chromosomes.
 46. The method of claim 44,wherein the one or more reference numbers in step (3) are one referencenumber each for Indicator LOH Regions, and Indicator LST Regions,wherein the reference number of Indicator LOH Regions is two, three,four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more, and whereinthe reference number of Indicator LST Regions is two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40 45, 50 or more.
 47. The method of claim44, wherein the one or more reference numbers in step (3) is onereference number for the sum of the number of Indicator LOH Regions, andIndicator LST Regions.
 48. The method of claim 44, wherein the IndicatorLOH Regions are defined as LOH Regions at least two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more megabases in length butless than a either a complete chromosome or a complete chromosome arm,and wherein the Indicator LST Regions are defined as LST Regions atleast two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ormore megabases in length.
 49. The method of claim 44, wherein the DNAdamaging agent is cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin, or picoplatin,wherein the anthracycline is epirubincin or doxorubicin, thetopoisomerase I inhibitor is campothecin, topotecan, or irinotecan, orwherein the PARP inhibitor is olaparib or velapirib.
 50. The method ofclaim 44, wherein the sample is deficient in BRCA1 or BRCA2 if adeleterious mutation, loss of heterozygosity, or high methylation isdetected in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 in the sample.
 51. The method of claim50, wherein high methylation is detected if methylation is detected inat least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% or more ofBRCA1 or BRCA2 promoter CpGs analyzed.
 52. An in vitro method ofidentifying patient responders to a cancer treatment regimen comprisinga DNA damaging agent, anthracycline, topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARPinhibitor, the method comprising: (1) assaying a sample comprising acancer cell to detect the number of Indicator CA (chromosomalaberration) Regions comprising at least two types chosen from IndicatorLOH (loss of heterozygosity) Regions, and Indicator LST (large scaletransition) Regions in at least one pair of human chromosomes of acancer cell of said cancer patient; (2) providing a test value derivedfrom the number of said Indicator CA Regions; (3) comparing the testvalue to one or more reference values derived from the number of saidIndicator CA Regions in a reference population; and (4) identifying apatient in whose sample said test value is greater than said one or morereference numbers as a responder to said cancer treatment regimen. 53.The method of claim 52, further comprising identifying a patient inwhose sample said test value is not greater than said one or morereference numbers as a non-responder to said cancer treatment regimenand either (5)(a) administering a treatment regimen comprising a DNAdamaging agent, anthracycline, topoisomerase I inhibitor, or PARPinhibitor to said patient identified as a responder to said cancertreatment regimen; or (5)(b) administering a treatment regimen notcomprising a DNA damaging agent, anthracycline, topoisomerase Iinhibitor, or PARP inhibitor in said patient identified as anon-responder to said cancer treatment regimen.
 54. The method of claim52, wherein the test value is derived by calculating the arithmetic meanof the numbers of Indicator LOH Regions and Indicator LST Regions insaid sample as follows:${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{2}$and said one or more reference values were derived by calculating thearithmetic mean of the numbers of Indicator LOH Regions, and IndicatorLST Regions in samples from said reference population as follows:${{Test}{Value}} = \frac{\left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LOH}{Regions}} \right) + \left( {\#{of}{Indicator}{LST}{Regions}} \right)}{2.}$55. The method of claim 52, comprising identifying a patient in whosesample said test value is at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, or10-fold greater, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 standarddeviations greater, or at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% greater than theone or more reference numbers as having an increased likelihood ofresponding to the cancer treatment regimen.
 56. The method of claim 52,wherein the at least one pair of human chromosomes is representative ofthe entire genome.